Next to personal evangelism, Church Hospitality is arguably one of the most important ministries of the local church. So many churches fail in this ministry of kindness. I’ve collected nearly 100 of these articles in a download resource for sale. Visit How To Welcome Church Visitors for information about this ebook
In the registration form on a recent webinar on Improving your Church Hospitality, people were asked “What is your biggest challenge in your church hospitality ministry?” Most respondents were people leading or serving in Hospitality ministries, pastors and officers in church leadership, plus a few church planters and church consultants. The answers fell into 5 …
A church I coached over the phone wanted to implement a church greeter program as a result of reading Church Greeters 101. But after one coaching session with the pastor, became clear a new greeter program won’t solve this church’s problems. This call helped that pastor to see that that there are additional variables to …
Today’s guest article is written by Les Brown who wrote devotionals at his lost website http://lesbrowndevotionals.com. He develops a composite story of errors made in welcoming first time visitors to church. It may read a little harsh, but I’ve experienced almost every one of these events in his story, just not in one service. . …
Join Chris Walker of EvangelismCoach.org talking with Bill and Gail Royster, The Welcome & Hospitality People, church hospitality consultants for more than 25 years as we talk about “the little things” that help to make a great first impression.
No particular order, but here is top 30 posts on church visitor hospitality based on traffic results. Feel free to share this list with your social networks and bookmark away.
As the final installment in our series on church nametags, here is a list I found from a church that chose to do this ministry. #10 A name tag is cheaper than a tattoo. #9 Wearing a name tag makes for a friendlier church. #8 You will be more approachable if you wear a name …
As the final part of our series on how to use church name tags, here is a list of 8 tips for using church name tags: Use felt tip pens with a medium point so that people must write large–large enough so that other people can actually read their names. (If they use regular writing …
For churches that have considered and want to implement using name tags, today’s post gives you some thoughts about how to make and use name tags in church. 1. Preprint church name tags for your regular attendees One church set up two large registration areas. One has pre-printed tags for regular attendees and blank name …
When people visit conventions, or large meetings at hotels, name tags are part of the routine. When social clubs get together where there are potential new faces, name tags help break the ice. Name tags in churches are not too far out of normal. As commented on yesterday’s post on church name tags, one may …
Does your church use name tags during the Sunday morning worship service? Several church growth books recommend name tags as one way of increasing the friendliness or openness of a congregation. I’m not going to say you need to do one, but if you want to implement a church name tag process, you don’t want …
I found this article on Todd Rhodes Monday Morning insight blog (link below). It features the results of a survey of formerly churched adults. (Photo: WanderSick) Highlights: Only 11 percent would be willing to self-identify as a visitor on first visit. 26 percent would visit some kind of reception. Most would want to “size up …
We had a great webinar this afternoon. Registrations from 10 different countries, covering 31 different states and churches from a wide variety of denominations and traditions. Perhaps you’re wondering How to improve your first impressions ministry for first time church visitors What to say to a first time visitor. How to train church greeters. Do …
New training video posted How to Organize Your Church Greeter Teams. Get your free video at
The short answer: Personal Invitation from a Trusted friend. Charles Arn has surveyed thousands of people: (Source: 3 Questions for Charles Arn) In your research, have you found that there’s one specific reason that visitors come to church? The friendship factor. We’ve asked more than 50,000 people over the last 10 years why they came …
Church growth books on first impressions often stress the first 7 minutes of a visitor’s experience. But this surprise result indicates that the something else is more important than first impressions. Charles Arn has surveyed thousands of people: (Source: 3 Questions for Charles Arn) We also asked the focus groups when they decided that the church …
This was submitted by one of our readers and permission granted to be distributed by EvangelismCoach.org. The writer wishes to remain anonymous. Some slight editing for on-line reading have been made. The writer gave this as part of their Hospitality training to their welcoming ministries team in a mid-size congregation, so some may be worded …
In 2008, I was asked recently by Chris Thompson of the Alaska Daily News, “When you visit a church, what do you look for?”
The article mentions three times/places where we need to greet guests: entrances, the front, and after. Allow me to adjust the article's suggestions to apply to the class:
The wow factor can play a role in helping a church visitor come back for a second visit. That is one of the first steps to church visitor assimilation. Sharing a small gift as a token of appreciation after a first visit can be a way to stand out and demonstrate extra care. What are …
Ideas of how to create church welcome packets and what to put in a church visitor packet folders, or guest welcome folder.
The last two posts (part I and part II) shared common practices on welcoming visitors to church. Here are 20 blunders I’ve seen churches make in greeting visitors to church. Feel free to add your own in the mix (use the comments below). No One Said Hello. Bad breath. 20 question doctrinal exam to make …
According to a Barna Research survey of people looking for a church, “Friendliness to Visitors” is Based on a national telephone survey of 1,015 people 18 or older; sampling error of plus/minus 3 percent. Citation: Moody (Jan/ Feb 2002); For 9 out of 10 visitors, the friendliness of your congregation is important. What each church …
On a human level, first time church visitors will come to your church because they have Been invited by a friend. Seen your building in their commuting patterns. Been referred by a friend in their social grape-vine (network). Heard about your church through your marketing (direct mail, website, door hangers, business cards, radio, TV, phone …
You were a first-time church visitor.
What emotions do you recall?
Do you recall the disorientation of not knowing where things are? Maybe you recall wondering if you'd fit in? What other emotions are there?
Don't forget those feelings. Use them to help your church welcome.
