This one comes from 2014, when I was talking about personally recruiting new greeters.
Looking back, I realize I should’ve started by recruiting someone to help me make these videos — and maybe another person to give me a haircut before pressing record.
The examples may look dated, but the principle still works: personal invitations build stronger greeter teams than any sign-up sheet ever will.
A new Church Greeter Training Series is coming in early 2026, filmed with better lighting, sharper video, and a slightly wiser (and grayer) coach.
How to Recruit Church Greeters
If you are involved in recruiting and training of church greeters, you will likely run into a church greeter who says
But I don’t know who the first time visitors are!!!!
They may use that to avoid answering your call to recruit them for a given Sunday or given rotation on your schedule. It is offered as an excuse that really is meant to say “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
It might even be offered as a rationale for not serving as a church greeter.
So how can you recruit new greeters? In this video I share a few tips.
As you personally recruit your volunteers, you’ll have the chance to express how important this ministry is to the growth of your church.
1. Regularly Cast the Vision for Hospitality Ministry.
There are many ways to cast that vision, but this is a process of time.
Find and share stories of the impact of hospitality ministry.
Celebrate it from the front, and celebrate them at moments like baptisms and membership Sundays.
2. Have a Vision refresher Meeting.
Gather your volunteers for a vision refresher meeting. Take some time to both recast the vision, and provide some training for your volunteers.
These meetings can also serve as an entry point for recruiting new volunteers to your hospitality ministry that you have been identifying.
3. Personally recruit
If you want to recruit volunteers for this ministry of hospitality, make the effort to
- pray
- identify
- share the vision
- Ask for the volunteer to serve.
Personal recruitment, particularly in smaller church is the most effective way to start getting new volunteers.
They need to see and hear your passion for this welcoming ministry.