IMPACT Team Training & Serving Guide
OUR MISSION: MAKING AN IMPACT FOR THE GOSPEL
How does the Parking Team make an IMPACT for the Gospel?
By giving people a hospitable and welcoming first impression, creating a space where people can be ready to respond to the Gospel.
The Parking Team is often the first interaction someone has when they arrive at Emergence. Before guests walk through our doors, they are already experiencing our hospitality. A warm smile, a helpful direction, or a willingness to assist someone can make a meaningful difference in how they experience their time with us.
Our Parking Team makes the MOST IMPACT when:
- People are welcomed. We joyfully welcome and direct cars to available parking.
- First impressions are positive. We provide a warm first encounter for all individuals and families.
- Parking is organized and safe. We help drivers navigate the parking lot and keep traffic moving smoothly.
- People are cared for. We look for opportunities to assist individuals who may need extra help getting into the building.
- We serve with joy. We recognize that parking can be stressful, and we do our part to remove roadblocks to people hearing the Gospel.
Our goal is not simply to park cars, but to help create a welcoming and safe environment where people can arrive ready to worship, hear the Word, and respond to the Gospel.
PARKING TEAM ROLES
Every role on the Parking Team contributes to creating a safe, organized, and welcoming arrival experience. While responsibilities may look different, we all share the same mission.
THE TEAM LEADER
A Team Leader makes the MOST IMPACT by:
- Scheduling the team to ensure proper coverage for each service.
- Caring well for the team through encouragement, meeting serving needs, and checking in on individual team members.
- Communicating important updates and ensuring the team is prepared to serve.
- Leading by example as a leader who is Hungry, Humble, Smart, and Spiritual.
THE PARKING TEAM MEMBER
A Parking Team Member makes the MOST IMPACT by:
- Arriving early to set up signs, cones, and other equipment to help drivers navigate the parking lot.
- Warmly interacting with individuals and families as they arrive.
- Joyfully directing cars to available parking.
- Keeping track of available parking spots and knowing when to put up “Lot Full” signs.
- Looking for individuals who may need extra assistance and offering help getting into the building.
- Helping maintain a safe and organized parking lot throughout the service.
Remember: No matter where you are stationed, you are part of one team with one mission. Every interaction matters!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE PARKING TEAM
Here is what you can expect on a typical day serving on the Parking Team!
STEP 1: BE PREPARED AND ON TIME
Arrive ready to serve, wearing weather-appropriate clothing and your IMPACT badge/lanyard.
SUNDAY — TEAM ONE
- 8:10 AM: Arrive, grab lanyard from IMPACT Central and drop personal items
- 8:15 AM: Head to the Connect Desk for the IMPACT Team huddle.
SUNDAY — TEAM TWO
- 9:45 AM: Arrive, grab lanyard from IMPACT Central and drop personal items
- 9:50 AM: Head to your team’s huddle.
Arriving on time allows you to receive important updates, prepare your heart, and ensure the parking lot is ready before people begin arriving.
STEP 2: GRAB YOUR GEAR
Check in with the Team Leader to confirm your assigned station and collect the equipment you need.
You will need:
- A walkie-talkie, tuned to the correct station.
- A traffic wand.
- A brightly colored safety vest or jacket.
Make sure your equipment is ready to use before heading to your station. If anything is missing or not working properly, let the Team Leader know.
STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR HEART
Before your shift, take a few minutes to pray with your team.
Pray for one another, everyone attending, those visiting Emergence, and for the Gospel to go out and change lives.
Remember: We are not just directing traffic. We are creating a welcoming first impression and helping remove roadblocks to people hearing the Gospel.
STEP 4: IT'S GO TIME!
Head to your assigned station and get ready to welcome attendees with a positive, welcoming attitude!
Hospitality & Engagement
- Smile, make eye contact, and offer a warm greeting as people arrive.
- Remember that you may be the first person someone sees when they arrive at Emergence.
- Be positive and encouraging, even when the parking lot gets busy.
- Look for opportunities to assist individuals and families who may need extra help.
- Remain attentive to both drivers and pedestrians while carrying out your responsibilities.
Parking Lot Operations
- Know where available parking spots are so you can direct cars efficiently.
- Keep track of parking availability and communicate with your team when the lot is getting full.
- Know where the “Lot Full” signs are and when they need to be used.
- Use your traffic wand and walkie-talkie to communicate clearly with drivers and other team members.
- Follow the Team Leader’s direction regarding parking assignments, traffic flow, and lot changes.
Remember: Parking can be stressful. Our goal is to help people feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they arrive.
SERVING DURING THE SERVICE
Your responsibilities continue throughout the service. Remain attentive, communicate with your team, and be ready to assist as needs arise.
Parking Lot Management
- Continue directing arriving vehicles to available parking.
- Monitor parking availability and communicate when the lot is approaching capacity.
- Put up “Lot Full” signs when appropriate, following the Team Lead’s direction.
- Remain attentive to pedestrians and vehicles, prioritizing safety at all times.
- Keep your assigned area organized and accessible.
- Use your walkie-talkie to communicate changes, questions, or needs to the team.
Guest Assistance
- Offer a warm greeting to those arriving throughout the service.
- Keep an eye out for individuals who may need extra assistance getting to the entrance.
- Look for opportunities to assist families and individuals with mobility needs.
- Be available to help while remaining attentive to your assigned parking responsibilities.
Safety & Communication
- Wear your safety vest or jacket and use your traffic wand as directed.
- Follow the established traffic pattern and instructions from the Team Leader.
- Never put yourself or others in an unsafe position to direct traffic.
- If an unexpected situation arises, communicate with the Service Coordinator and follow their direction.
Our standard: We want every person to arrive safely, feel welcomed, and experience a positive first impression of Emergence.
FOLLOWING THE SERVICE: FINISH STRONG
The Parking Team's ministry continues as people leave the building. This is another opportunity to show hospitality and help everyone leave safely.
STEP 1: BE READY TO WELCOME PEOPLE AS THEY EXIT
- Return to your assigned station and be ready to warmly engage people as they exit.
- Move any “Lot Full” signs that may be in the way, when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Help ensure pedestrians can safely reach their vehicles.
- Remain available to assist anyone who may need help.
- Kindly encourage the flow of traffic as people leave to help prevent bottlenecks.
- Communicate with your team to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.
STEP 2: CARE ENOUGH TO CLEAN UP
Show some love to the next group coming in by taking a moment to care for the space you served in.
- Do a quick sweep of your assigned area and pick up any trash or debris.
- Collect and return signs, cones, ropes, and other equipment to their designated storage locations when appropriate.
- Make sure equipment is organized and ready for the next service.
- Communicate any damaged or missing equipment to the Service Coordinator.
STEP 3: COMMUNICATE & CELEBRATE
- Check in with the Team Leader before leaving.
- Pass along any questions, parking concerns, or situations that may require follow-up.
- Communicate any equipment or supply needs.
- Encourage your teammates and celebrate a job well done!
We want to make sure the next team is prepared and every detail is cared for.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SERVE
To make sure you're ready to serve, you will need the following:
Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Check the weather before leaving home and dress appropriately. You will be outside for your serving shift, so prepare for the conditions.
IMPACT Badge/Lanyard
Grab your badge/lanyard from IMPACT Central before heading to your designated role. Wearing it helps identify you as a member of the IMPACT Team.
Walkie-Talkie
Communication is key! Grab your walkie-talkie from the Connect Desk and make sure it is tuned to the correct station. Use it to communicate clearly with the Team Leader and other team members.
Brightly Colored Safety Vest or Jacket
Safety is extremely important, especially when working in a parking lot. Find the vests or jackets in the Parking Team Drawer and wear one while serving.
Traffic Wands
Traffic wands help you communicate clearly with drivers and direct vehicles safely. Find these in the Parking Team Drawer and use them as directed.
Parking Lot Signs & Equipment
To ensure the parking lot is ready, you will need:
- “WELCOME” and “LOT FULL” signs: These signs, along with extras, are stored in the Utility Closet.
- Traffic cones: Find these in the Utility Closet and use them to help establish the parking flow as directed by the Team Leader.
Be Prepared to Help
Know where your equipment is stored, how to use it, and whom to contact if something is missing or not working properly. If you are unsure about a parking assignment or traffic direction, check with the Team Leader rather than guessing.
OUR COMMITMENT AS A PARKING TEAM
As members of the Parking Team, we commit to:
- Serve with joy. We recognize the privilege of serving the Lord by serving people.
- Practice hospitality. We make people feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they arrive.
- Prioritize safety. We remain attentive to vehicles, pedestrians, and the needs of those around us.
- Pursue excellence. We arrive prepared, take ownership of our responsibilities, and care for our equipment and assigned areas.
- Work as one team. We communicate, support one another, and set one another up for success.
- Sit One, Serve One. We prioritize both being spiritually fed and serving others. By attending one service to worship and receive the Word and serving during another, we stay connected to the life of the church while helping others experience it too.
- Keep the Gospel at the center. We remember that every interaction is an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ and help create an environment where people can hear and respond to the Gospel.
THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN IMPACT!
As you finish serving, take joy in knowing that your service matters. A warm greeting, a helpful direction, or an act of assistance may seem small, but it can make a meaningful difference in someone's experience at Emergence.
We may never know the full impact of every interaction, but we can be faithful with the opportunities God puts in front of us.
Thank you for being part of the Parking Team and helping create a safe, welcoming environment where people can encounter the love of Christ and hear the Gospel!