Imagine you are a layperson in your congregation.
Your pastor calls you on Thursday and says:
We are preparing the church bulletin. Would you like to be our liturgist and give the welcome greeting on Sunday?
Your heart races, and your mouth goes dry.
Me? I have to say something in front of all those people?
But since you want to please your pastor, serve your church, or practice good church hospitality because you know it matters, you push through the fear and say yes.
Now what? What will you say to welcome people to your church?
How Do I Say a Welcome at Church?
Once you hang up the phone, you turn to Google and type in:
- how to say the welcome at church
- what to say when welcoming visitors
- sample church welcome greeting
- how to prepare a welcome speech for church
If that is you, you are not alone. These are among the most common questions I am asked in coaching and email. So let me give you a few practical tips.
5 Tips to Prepare Your Church Welcome Greeting
1. Give up the search for a magic formula.
Many people want a script. I understand why, but there is no perfect set of words.
Every congregation, every service, and every worship style is different. What feels warm and authentic in one church might sound stiff in another.
Some churches open with the welcome greeting. Others do it midway through the service with announcements or connection cards.
What you say depends on your setting and your church culture. The goal is to sound normal, personal, and sincere.
2. Think like a first-time church visitor.
As you prepare your words, put yourself in the shoes of a guest. First-time visitors often arrive with silent questions:
- Will I fit in here?
- Is this a place where I can grow?
- How do I get more information about this church?
- What will happen next?
Depending on when your welcome happens in the service, you may be able to answer one or two of these questions in a natural way. You will find more ideas for one-on-one greetings in What to Say to a Church Visitor.
3. Include the basics, and keep it short.
Your welcome does not need to be long. A few clear, heartfelt sentences are enough. Most greetings include:
- A simple acknowledgment: “If you are here for the first time, we are glad you are here.”
- Reassurance: “We will not make you stand or speak if you prefer to stay anonymous.”
- Next steps: “Stop by our welcome center after the service” or “Fill out the connection card for a free gift.”
Some churches also include a brief invitation:
- “We are serving in the community next Saturday. Come join us.”
- “Join us Friday night for our newcomers gathering at the pastor’s home.”
The key is to make your words sound like you, not like a script.
4. Connect your welcome to your church’s mission.
Generic phrases like “We are here to serve you” sound nice, but they do not connect. Visitors do not yet know your programs, your people, or your mission.
Instead, highlight one specific expression of your church’s mission:
- “This month we are serving families through our food pantry. Come be part of it.”
- “We are passionate about helping people grow closer to Jesus. Join a small group to learn more.”
You do not need to cover every announcement. Choose one step that helps newcomers enter your church’s story.
5. Cover your preparation with prayer.
As you prepare your welcome greeting, pray for the moment you will speak. Ask the Lord to give you words that meet the needs of those listening that day.
If you are a layperson, remember that God can use your few sentences to help someone take another step toward faith.
You can use these verses on hospitality or these verses on welcoming the stranger as guides for your prayer.
Reflection: Prepare Your Own Welcome Greeting
If you want to compose your own welcome, start with these questions. Write your answers in a few short sentences, then shape them into your greeting.
- Who will be in the room this Sunday? Think about the mix of people. What could you say that helps everyone feel seen and valued?
- What one message should people remember today? Choose a single idea. Warmth, purpose, or invitation. Keep it simple and clear.
- What is one next step that fits your church’s mission? Point to one concrete step. A welcome center stop, a connection card, a newcomers gathering, or a service project.
Let Me Ask You This
What advice would you give to someone nervous about giving a church welcome greeting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Photo credit: GlasgowAmateur via cc
Reignite Your First Impressions Ministry
We all want our church visitors to come back. But to get that to happen you need to improve your first impression ministries.
But where do you start?
Get these 7 Secrets to Effective Church Hospitality to give you starting points and ideas that you can implement this weekend.
A1: Keep it short, sincere, and personal. Acknowledge guests, express warmth, and invite a simple next step.
A2: Usually one or two minutes. Enough to greet guests, share one next step, and keep worship flowing naturally.
A3: No. Practice key points, write brief notes, and speak from the heart rather than reading a script.
Editor’s Note: First published in 2010, updated in 2013, 2017, and 2025 to refresh and expand core hospitality resources for today’s church volunteers.
How to Introduce First-Time Visitors in Church (Without Making Them Stand Up)
Thanks for your tips on what to say at a new church. My family and I are new to this city and there are quite a few churches nearby. We’re still looking for a good family-friendly church we can join and this will definitely be a big help once we find one. I’ve always been nervous when it comes to introductions so I’ll have to take your tips to heart. I like your suggestion about thinking like it’s the first time you’ve visited a church and ask questions that can engage people. That should really help me out with my anxiety and have the conversation flow much more naturally if someone were to talk with me.
Was giving publicity secretary in the church. I want to know how to welcome first timers. N others duties that is expected of me. Thank you.
I have to say
If it’s your first time to join us in church please stand up we want to welcome you in the name of Jesus christ
And we bagg you to visit our visitors center after service
Many of our senior citizens attend church through streaming services. Many of these SS are part of our Welcome Hospitality Team. We would like suggestions how those at home can be a part of the Welcome Team? We contact guests who leave their contact information.
We are looking for ways for our at home team members to be a productive part of the Welcome Ministry in this electronic digital world.
Thank you for your help.
Gwen
Use scriptures…if God be lifted up he will draw all man unto him
I am grateful to you for sharing some tips on how to prepare the welcome greeting for Church such as covering your visitor welcome speech with a prayer. One good way of celebrating the ministry and acknowledging your fellow parishioners is by leading a prayer that asks for the Lord’s guidance in everything we do. You may also want to ask for His continuous blessings and that may all his servants be guided according to His will. Thanks.
Comments and recommendations for welcome of guests at church very helpful.
Thank you
Your welcome.
Thanks for the insights in this page. They are very helpful and commendable.
@Lorna, Thanks for dropping by. . you make a great point about making the effort to thank visitors and members before they leave. . . I do with more church greeters and church ushers would help make that happen.
Whenever à visitor enters you should be welcomed at the door by the ushers and at the end of the service you thank them for coming. If you prepare à meal, would you welcome the dîners at the table after they finish eating? You welcome before starting and thank after finishing. You thank the brethren for coming out also the ministers.
Rick, I like that greeting. That says alot. It almost has the same feel as a benediction, but up at the front as a welcome blessing.
I was listening to a pod cast the other day by a preacher in Nashville. This is the call to worship he uses at the church he pastors. I like it:
To all who are weary and need rest,
To all who mourn and long for comfort,
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares,
To all who fail and desire strength,
To all who sin and need a Savior,
This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ, the Ally of his enemies, the Defender of the guilty, the Justifier of the inexcusable, the Friend of sinners. Welcome!
Thanks Kendall for dropping by. One church we have been visiting welcomes guests from the front and gives clear instructions on filling out a connection card and putting it in the offering plate. They make it easy by providing pens at every seat, and a card at every seat. . It’s the clear instructions that help.
Addressing ways that guests can learn more about your church is a great idea. If don’t say anything then they won’t know where to look. It may help to have additional information listed on a program or some sort of pamphlet.
greatings in the Name of Jesus….im asked to do the welcoming to all brothers and sisters in Jesus,at a Chapel by one of the government hospitals for the 24years birthday of the Chapel.we are having a praise and worship event…..its my first time to do it.iam asking the LORD JESUS to lead me in this and trust the HOLY SP[IRIT WILL GIDE me….i would love a few tips of how to start….as we are all Christians from diffrent Churches and comunities. God bless
very helpful informational,thanks a lot for the sharing
good and well perfect ans for layperson/programmer or church secrtary.
To welcome visitors at church, I will welcome them in the mighty name of Jesus Christ to church and pray; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
…the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap aharvest if we do not give up(Galatians5:8,9). Keep it on, God will reward you abundantly in Jesus name amen.
I gain a lot of lessons in this message, I am graduate of International Institute of Evangelism, Ibadan,Nigeria.Thank God for this ministry, God will continue to bless you more in Jesus name amen.
Well let visitors know that every church they enter is God’s house. God welcomes all his children to his house cause we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all God’s children. God has a lot of church doors open. But we are glad Jesus sent you to this church house. And anytime this church door is open, we will welcome you with open arms and we will have a big smile on our face cause we are happy to see you. So just come on in every Sunday with your joy in your heart. Share it with us. Cause you are truly welcome to do so.
I have been privileged to give the welcome address at an anniversary celebration for a singing group at my church for many years. I usually try to make my speech interesting and a little unusual each time, This year I want to include a bible reference that is upbeat. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your question. I will be writing a forthcoming article on this question directly. . I have a few ideas.
1. Find out why they want to quit.
There could be a variety of reasons.
In the past, I have quit my volunteer positions because I was underused, undervalued, or unskilled, or I simply didn’t see the point of my role. When it’s no fun, it’s a chore.
Consider the reason the volunteer wants to quit. .. Find out the reason and see if it is one you can address.
2. Let them go Graciously.
3. Ask them to hang in there for a few more months while you find a replacement. Then really work at it finding their replacement to honor your committment.
what do you do when your greeter want to quite the team and we are a small church and really need them. Or could it be the the person over the ministry is not a good teacher or leader?? need help!
I WAS ELECTED TO BE AN INTEREST COORDINATOR IN CHURCH ITS MY FIRST TIME AND I FEEL AWKWARD
very good one there. i want a very good welcome address to be delivered to my church leader next week sunday, can i please get one
how to write a welcome address in the church,and the theme for the event is HEARKEN UNTO HIM. Pls,help me out with it.
You might like this idea as a place to start:
https://www.evangelismcoach.org/2013/starting-a-new-role-as-leader-of-your-church-welcome-committee/
Here is a collection of 10 articles for new chairpersons like you:
https://www.evangelismcoach.org/fix-your-church-hospitality/
I attend a small church of the christian faith and I really want to become more involved in my church. I would like to know how to give a quick and easy welcomimg approach to our brothers and sisters in christ as well as our guests, when we our invited to other churches for worship and praise services. I really want to please the lord and do the things of god so I just need some guidance on this thanks in advance !
Dawn I share your sentiments about referring to visitors as guests. But one of my pet peeve in church is this monotonous greeting: we would like to welcome our pastor, we would like to welcome our elders, we would like to welcome the choir, we would like to welcome our members……my thing is this; why would you be welcoming me back to my own home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl67TNDW-0Q
This one?
Have you seen the bank TV commercial where a child asks a man about the ice cream cart, but the man says it is only for new people and then proceeds to offer a cone only to a second boy who enters the scene because he is newer?
While staff and leaders should talk about welcoming guests or visitors, we need public terminology that continually seeks to integrate everyone into some new aspect of community. A congregation I had visited while on vacation made me wish I could return when they invited me to participate with them for Bible Study and stay for coffee and pastries. But treating me like a welcomed guest in worship, demonstrated that I was an outsider. On the other hand, growing congregations will have new and newer opportunities every week to which every participant might be invited.
I have also been surprised by the number of regular attendees who are uncertain about procedures and other people in worship. This article demonstrates this uncertainty or newness even by longstanding members.
The key to presenting any speech is preparation. Fear of giving a speech is a very common problem.
One of my professors shared a story in one of my classes in college about a student who was very nervous before giving a presentation on a class assignment. This student had prepared for the speech, and the presentation in front of the class went very well.
My advice to anyone having to give a welcome speech is to prepare thoroughly.
@ Darrel:
Great comment! I’ve seen that happen way too many times as well.
@Dawn:
Excellent point. This is something I point out elsewhere. When I do workshops, we talk about this frequently.
I agree with what you have said except for the “v” word. They should be called GUESTS at all times. Referring to your visitiors as guests is an important part of changing both the congregation’s and guest’s view of someone who is visiting. It changes how the congregation sees them & teaches them to reach out. It shows the guest that the are not considered an outsider here, but someone special and important.
Never get up in front of the congregation and say, “I hope you will forgive me, I’m nervous today.” I know this seems like elementary, even trivial, advice but I have seen so many people do this. If you don’t tell people you are nervous, they will never know.