Why use name tags in church?

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 need to consider if this makes your church feel like a business seminar.

Some may choose to use this in their congregation as conversation starters among members and guests.

Today, let me give you two reasons to consider using name tags in churches.  The choice is yours, I’m not telling you one way or another.

1.  Name tags invite people to greet one another.

Perhaps your church attendance on a Sunday morning is large enough where not everyone can know everyone else’s name.

Church branded name tags can help create a sense of community.

One church sometimes prints a question at the bottom of the name tag that is used at greeting time during the service, such as “Turn to your neighbor and ask them about their favorite teacher in grade school.”   The choice of question is not random – it will often connect to an illustration during the sermon.

In other words, name tags can be conversation starters.

Read: How many relationships are you missing out on because you don’t know people’s names? I regularly read Scott Ginsberg (“That guy with the Name tag”).  He’s written several excellent posts and much of his material can be useful in your church.

“When people know each other’s names, the rules change.”

For a large congregation, (over 1000 in attendance) Lyle Schaller writes in The Multiple Staff and the Larger Church:

“The larger the congregation, the more important it is for all members to wear name tags every Sunday morning.

One reason is to help members know one another by name.

A second reason is to help members identify and welcome visitors.

A third reason is that name tags have important symbolic value. They symbolize the acceptance of the fact that this is a large congregation that expects strangers to be present every Sunday, and the regular use of name tags represents a ‘Welcome, stranger! This is my name’ attitude by the members.” p. 20.

I’m not sure I totally agree with him.  I know several mega churches that don’t bother with name tags.  They value anonymity for church visitors as part of their culture

2.  Attendance tracking

Some churches will monitor their name tag boards / baskets for attendance tracking.  A volunteer will make note of who attended or who didn’t attend that Sunday.

Churches with multiple points of entry and multiple services may not be able to do this, but for a majority of churches that have just one main entrance, this may be easy to do.

Some will ask members to put their name tag in a special basket after the service (assuming they use pre-made ones).  A volunteer will gather them for attendance tracking and note who is missing.  This provides opportunity for member care.

There are other methods of church attendance tracking, but some smaller size churches may choose to use this.

Let me ask you this?

• If you use name tags in your church, what benefits are you seeing?
• If you are evaualating the idea, what are some benefits your discussions are revealing?
• What about reasons why not?

Share your thoughts in the comment field below.

For more church hospitality tips on welcoming church visitors, buy your copy of How To Welcome Church Visitors.