When I first started pastoral ministry in a small church, it was common to ask the first-timers in church to stand up and introduce themselves to the congregation. I saw this done not only where I served, but also in many of the small churches I visited and preached while the pastor was away. At church hospitality conferences, many leaders would often tell me this was still their custom. They would ask my opinion on how to introduce first-time visitors in church.
It was meant to be a friendly and sincere attempt to help visitors feel welcome. But for most church visitors, it created the opposite feeling. It was uncomfortable and awkward.
Put yourself in their place for a moment: If you were visiting a church for the first time, would you want to stand up and publicly introduce yourself to a group of people you didn’t know, hadn’t met, and may not see again?
That’s why this custom needs a better approach. Here is how to lead the introduction of first-timers in ways that honors – not spotlights – your guests:
Don’t make first-time visitors introduce themselves. Introduce your church instead.
Don’t Make Visitors Introduce Themselves
In the first church I served, I used to invite visitors to stand up and introduce themselves. I remember one moment in particular.
After an evening worship service, I invited a church visitor to stand up and introduce themselves. The visitor didn’t volunteer to stand up. I waited until they did. That visitor never returned to our church.
I learned a valuable lesson that shaped me since that moment. Our church failed to influence that person for Christ due to my inconsiderate error. I showed poor judgment on my part. What I did was a failure of church hospitality. This church visitor wanted to remain anonymous.
I eventually discovered I lacked empathy for that visitor. Later, when it was me who was asked to stand up in front of a group of over 200 people and share my name and where I was from, I felt what that visitor felt.
In that moment of being in their shoes, I had a flash of insight into why this is not a good welcome practice – this was uncomfortable and not the right place for a “get to know you moment.”
In our North American culture, this practice grows less and less comfortable. I think it is becoming a Sunday morning custom that should disappear.
Read more: Should We Single Out First-Time Visitors?
What not to do:
Ask first-time guests to stand and introduce themselves.
What to do instead:
From the front, briefly introduce your church’s mission and offer a simple next step.
Do Welcome Your Guests from the Front
Instead of making your first-time church guests introduce themselves, let the leader introduce them to your church and its mission.
Your liturgist, campus pastor, or preacher should give a public welcome to your first-time visitors.
In many churches I have visited, this church greeting is short and to the point. That welcome greeting does not have to be boring or dull. There is no script to follow. There is no “formula” you can follow.
Here is a basic outline that I hear frequently:
Welcome to First Church of Narnia. If you are a first-time guest with us today, or the first time in a long time, we want to give you a special welcome.
At First Church, you will find a family of faith where you can grow spiritually, and find a place to serve as a blessing to the community.
No matter if you are feeling broken, or have it together at this moment, welcome to your family.
No matter if you are a follower of Christ seeking a church home, or a person searching for answers to your questions, welcome home to your family.
If you want to know more about our church, please fill out the connection card, and then visit us at the Next Steps area.
Read more: How to Prepare the Welcome Greeting for Your Church
Introduce your church from the front every Sunday, unless your church is small enough for you to notice that you have no guests.
You might hear from some regular attenders who will protest about hearing this visitor greeting every Sunday. Overcome their objection by reminding them of your church’s mission to influence people for Christ. It’s a prime moment to reaffirm your vision of welcome. This welcome is a vital word for your church guests to hear.
Read more: Mothers Day Church Greetings that Honor All Mothers
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.
Do Give Your Guests a Clear Next Step That Day
When you introduce your church to your first-time attenders, offer a clear next step to where they can get more information or ask their questions.
We visited one church for a few weeks, and every weekend and pointed guests to visit the “Green Tent” outside. The teaching pastor promised to meet their guests there. He was faithful to be there and make small talk with those who approached the tent.
The church we serve at now invites guests to the “Next Steps” or “Connect Center” table. This connection center has multiple bar-height tables available for smaller conversations to happen. Each table is staffed every Sunday morning with great church volunteers.
One church we visited gave clear invitaitons for guests to visit the “Connection Center” – a kiosk or table setup that was clearly marked. This table was in the lobby.
Other examples:
- “Fill out a connection card and bring it to the Next Steps table.”
- “Stop by the Connection Center after service. We’d love to meet you.”
- “Text HELLO to our [your six digit text code] for a welcome and links.”
By repeating this information week after week, you give your guests time and space to wait until they feel ready to take that step.
You’ve been introducing your church to your guests. A clear next step will give them a chance to introduce themselves when ready. It helps make the welcome process feel intentional, not accidental.
In a small church, a reception after your morning service is usually the place where this kind of interaction can happen. It’s where your church guests can feel the warm church welcome.
Read more: How to Give an Extra Large Welcome in an Extra Small Church
Read more: Why your small church should have a reception after your service
Read more: What to Say to Church Visitors: Examples and Conversation Starters for Greeters
Do Make Room for Small Talk
When your guest comes to your welcome center, connection center, or next steps area, they are ready to introduce themselves. Make meaningful small talk with them. Small talk after service often becomes your best church visitor introduction moment.
- Learn about your guests.
- Answer questions they might have.
- Offer to point them in the right direction or connect them to a person who has answers.
This time after the service often allows people to stay for another hour (and sometimes 2) after the service is over.
- Conversations happen.
- Connections are made.
- Relationships built.
- People pray for one another.
Enough of an initial relationship can be established that encourages further church visits.
Read more: Useful Small Talk at Church Welcome Centers
Do Invite Your Guests to a Connection Event
A Connection Event is the best place to continue to introduce your church to your returning guests.
Mention it in your introduction every Sunday, or as appropriate for your church schedule.
Share the event on social media and in your regular promotional announcements.
In the church we visited while planting one, their connection event was a monthly home-cooked Pastor’s Luncheon.
We were invited by the liturgist from the platform, by an email, by a phone call the week before, and an email reminder.
The church did a good job of getting us there. The food was good, and it was our chance to hear about the vision and ministry of the church.
In the church we attend now, their connection event is their four-week membership class called “The Journey.”
We have completed it and learned about what it means to be a regular attender/member at this church.
In my last church, their connection event was called “Starting Point.”
This type of event is where your first-time church guests can come and start making new friends. We still see the people from our Journey class, though we’ve now found a small group that is a better fit for us.
Read: The Best Church Visitor Assimilation Tool
Let me ask you this?
What has been your experience in introducing first-time guests? Would you want to be introduced, or would you rather wait until you have visited enough to want to learn more about the church?
Learn More About Helping Your Guests Get Connected
Many churches welcome guests well, but do not have a clear path to help them return. This recorded Church Visitor Assimilation Webinar will show you simple, repeatable steps to help newcomers make friends and start belonging.
If you don’t have an intentional strategy for helping visitors connect with your church, then this class is for you.
In this training you will learn:
- How personal invitations increase return visits
- 5 must have tools for visitor follow up
- How to close the back door so guests do not disappear
- How to coach greeters and hospitality teams
You get instant access to the replay, MP3, and slides so you can train your team this week.
(Bar Table Image: doomu / 123RF Stock Photo
Using Tracts for Evangelism
I have received a lot of personal emails from people in church of different cultures. Their norm is making visitors introduce themselves, contrary to the approach I take.
The general rationale is “they are now known by everyone because they presented themselves.”
The information is very great. I would love to keep connected with you. I live on the Island of Jamaica