20 Church Hospitality Goofs and How You Can Avoid Them

You know that churches make all sorts of hospitality mistakes. You’ve probably experienced a few church hospitality errors first hand.

Over the last few months, I’ve compiled this list of 20 complaints shared on Twitter.

Read them and cringe.

Church Hospitality Mistakes - headline on Donuts and Coffee

I overheard the greeter at church make fun of my outfit after I walked away today. What’s wrong with people?
Wow, I am getting the most unfriendly vibe from the people at this church
The greeter at church today said “Did you get your 14 donuts?” as if to nicely point out that I’m eating too many donuts
Church Fail: No greeter and no children’s program = no us
My church told me today that they wanted me as a greeter to work on my social skills . . bunch of jerks.
Walked past the church greeter 4 times and he still asks me if I want a bulletin even through every time I say I already have one.
I walked into church today, and the greeter whispered to the man next to her that I look like a model #thank you.
Never before have said so many cheesy weather jokes than before I became a greeter at church.
Apparently the greeters at church don’t “do” high fives #awkward
Greeter when I walk into church: “Is it your first time here?” Me: I’ve gone here for 17 years.
Greeter lady in church never shakes my hand. Went in for a handshake and she declined so I turned it in to a God bless. #Shedoesnotlikeme
“Part of the reason I signed you up for hospitality at church is now I have an excuse to stay and drink my coffee.” Well played mom
I’ve never been to a church (before today) that didn’t have any greeters at an entrance. This is weird.
If you’re going to be a visitor at our church, say the prayers with everyone else . . . don’t be that person that says them slower than everyone
Speaking of your church’s hospitality, the guy who helped himself to my wallet my want to return all my credit cards at this time.
If you’re colder to people than the weather was this morning, you probably shouldn’t be a church greeter.
The greeter at my church asked me if I own a pair of shoes — I’ve never seen any “No Shoes, No Service sign.” Back off man.
People in the street are more friendly than some church folk, you go out of your way to speak and they treat you cold.
How do church volunteers find the worst donuts on the earth for the hospitality table? Like, how?
So a greeter at my church complimented my facial hair, . . .. I’m not sure exactly how to feel.

These things should never be said about a local church.

Fixable Church Hospitality Mistakes:

Simple attention to church hospitality from a pastor, a committee chairperson, or the team can fix many of these gaffes.

If you don’t regularly review your church hospitality and work at continuous improvement, these mistakes will appear with greater frequency to the harm of your mission.

I’ve compiled this quick sampling of resources on this website to help you.

Find ways to improve the greeting ministry of your church.
Maybe you can share this list of small talk tips for nervous church greeters.
Another list of conversational tips for church greeters
Read this tutorial on how to fix your hospitality vision.
You can get the Church Greeter Training DVDs from the store as a DVD or digital download.
Share this video in an email to your church greeter team: Ten Useful Tips for New Church Greeters.
Do a Quarterly Review Of Hospitality Ministries. The ebook I sell can be one way to review your systems or take the time to do your own hospitality audit. There are others available from Amazon that could help.
If your church hospitality leader is new to the position, start here with 8 First Actions Steps for New Hospitality Committees.