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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/27/2008 4:34:51 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 1053
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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We have "greeters" in each lobby. We distribute a card to new visitors with a tear-off coupon where they can include their contact information and prayer needs. Finally, we have a reception for first-time visitors after the service, with light snacks, cheerful volunteers, and a gift bag that contains more information, a KPIC coffee mug, etc.
This is a matter dear to my heart, since I've so often been the awkward misfit in social contexts, and know how a friendly face can open the gates of heaven. It grieves me to see someone take the risk of showing up in a strange place, and being snubbed. Ignored. As an usher, I count it an honor to greet new faces in my section, and try to connect them with members who have similar interests or occupations.
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 4:54:44 PM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 5114
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
Status: offline
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We're a small church, so usually everyone in the church makes a beeline to talk to our visitors.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 6:12:12 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1277
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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Our church, has 27,000 or so members and, about 5,000 or so are in any one church service (we have 3 on a weekend: 2 on sunday and one on saturday evening....but, saturday night has maybe 2000 or so, not nearly as much as a sunday morning services)
ANYWAY....
when one walks in to church for the first time, they likely to be greeted in the main atrium. Greeters are posted throughout, not only to greet, but to give helpful directions, such as point the way to the children's ministry wing, the bookstore or restrooms....there is a Visitors area to one side of the atrium, where one can pick up details about sunday school class, info about the church, and get help about pretty much anything else. VERY helpful to have.
Upon entering the sanctuary, ushers are there to greet, and make sure you have a copy of the church bulletin.
As church starts, usually a minute or two is given to "shake the hand" of the person next to you.....
And, then, instead of placing money in the offering, all visitors are simply asked to drop in the Visitor Registration card (which is part of the bulletin...you just kind of tear it off, like a "coupon")....
If someone has put any children in nursery/children's ministry, they will have a "security badge" that says "VISITOR" on it (members' stickers have their names on them)......so, we can spot a 'visitor' that way.....otherwise, we may not KNOW the person sitting next to us, but, they could very well be a member. Who knows? Perhaps going to the church longer than we have. But, we make a point of saying HI anyway....you never know who you're going to sit next to. One day, we happened to sit right next to Pat Summerall, the longtime sportscaster for CBS....he lives in the area.....VERY nice guy....
We do have a class, called "NextStep"....it's optional....it's for visitors, prospective members & new members. An opportunity to meet & greet with the church pastors, and some of the other ministers, find out about the church, the current ministry opportunities and what we believe. When we went to "NextStep" 6 years ago, about 75 or so people were in attendance. At NextStep, the pastor always lets people know that while it is a VERY large church, to not get intimidated. The church "shrinks" very quickly, and soon, it doesn't seem big at all.........and, he says, "Don't think of this place as a LARGE church.....think of it as a nice small town".....(I really like that one)
When there are visitors to our Sunday school class, it is THERE that we know they are visitors simply because we do not know them. They are introduced from the front (at the time we do "class announcements"), and everyone makes a point of saying "hello", and speaking with them...and making them feel welcome. Visitors cards are filled out....so, follow ups can be made....
Six years ago, we were "first time visitors" to our church. We must've been "greeted" and "felt welcome" sufficiently, or we would have probably not returned.
We never intended on joining such a massive church. But, so after visiting so many MUCH smaller churches in our area, many did not make us feel "welcome". We ended up feeling like "intruders", and we were "barging in on" their "church family", since we "weren't invited"....
for as large of a church we are, visitors are made to feel VERY welcome....just as our pastor says, "We are a very large church, with the heart of a small church".....
so, that's our church....c'mon by and visit us sometime.
< Message edited by kernsfamily -- 10/28/2008 6:32:14 PM >
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 6:45:01 PM
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buckifn
Posts: 1910
Joined: 5/23/2006
Status: offline
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I don't believe in calling people out ...putting them in the spotlight or anything that could make them feel awkward because they chose to visit our church...we do give them a visitor's packet with information about our church, points of interest in our community, and a calendar of upcoming events. They give us a card with their name, address, etc and if they want a follow-up call from the Pastor there is a space for that to be marked.
We have a hospitality committee that follows up that same week with a card of thanks for worshipping with us and a contact name and number if more interaction is wanted.
That works well for us. Pressuring people to offer more than they are ready to offer is not something we advocate.
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 7:02:32 PM
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GregandJenny
Posts: 803
Joined: 2/16/2006
From: Near Seattle Washington
Status: offline
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quote:
don't believe in calling people out ...putting them in the spotlight or anything that could make them feel awkward because they chose to visit our church...we do give them a visitor's packet with information about our church, points of interest in our community, and a calendar of upcoming events. They give us a card with their name, address, etc and if they want a follow-up call from the Pastor there is a space for that to be marked.
We have a hospitality committee that follows up that same week with a card of thanks for worshipping with us and a contact name and number if more interaction is wanted.
That works well for us. Pressuring people to offer more than they are ready to offer is not something we advocate.
Sounds like my church.
I agree with your whole post buck. My wife would have a fit if we visited a church and there was that much pressure. I believe an acknowledgment and genuine friendliness is great, all the other stuff though can put someone off.
G
_____________________________
It does not have to be well with my circumstance to be well with my soul!
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 11:10:50 PM
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lynnmoon
Posts: 343
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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Very good thread!!!!
First the background. I go to a medium-small church with about 300 families, I think. So, we are able to be a bit more personal than some larger churches might be able to be.
How does your church handle new people who come in?
Unofficially at the beginning of the day, most of the time new people get greeted by us informally when we see them, as we walk in. I know that if I walk in near someone that I don't know, I introduce myself and ask if they are new visitors or old friends. I don't assume they are visitors as sometimes longtime members who have moved away show up. I think other people do the same.
Officially, during the morning service we have a "welcome" as part of the program. During the welcome we ask first time visitors to please stand. Some people hate this, I always have, but it's requested nontheless so that we don't miss you if you are new. Now, if a visitor chooses not to stand, that's thier business. We don't wait there and stare them down or anything. Oh and we do have packets that they give out at this point.
Then during the fellowship period, we make sure that several people make thier way to the new folks to say good morning, how you doing, etc.
Does the pastor seek them out and greet them?
Yes, the pastor usually echos the welcome and speaks directly to the visitors from the pulpit. Likewise, usually during the fellowship period the pastor comes down to be sure and greet visitors that are close enough to the front for her to get too. If not then, they do after service. At least all my visitors have been greeted by the pastor in this manner.
Is there an assigned 'welcome team'?
No.
Do they stand up?
Yes, if they want too. So that we can be sure to know them and get to them. But if you wanted to be a "slip in, slip out" kind of person you could.
How SHOULD a visitor be welcomed? Why?
I think the way we do it is good. There isn't any big mandate done that makes it all smack of fakeness or anything. But I always joke that at my church members are so nosey they are drawn to visitors because they want to know the standard old lady stuff, lol. "baby, who is your mother?" "Your folks from around here?" "You enjoying the service so far?" yada, yada, yada. But they don't get crazy with it, so I can't complain.
I've been OVER GREETED in most churches in my life, except for those megachurches and I don't really expect them to pick me out and gush over me. I once made the mistake of visiting a church that had like 20 people in attendance. Oh my goodness!!!!!! I felt like the whole service was thier attempt at getting the fresh meat to stick around. And the alter call....AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWKKKKWWARD!!!!!
_____________________________
Lynn
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/28/2008 11:26:59 PM
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Lady_of_Faith
Posts: 81
Joined: 9/18/2008
Status: offline
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Well, at my church the announcer will ask members who brought guest with them to stand up, then ask the guest to stand. The announcer will then give the welcome speech and ask surrounding members to give them a **.**** welcome.
Everyone prefers it this way, not like at some other churches were the visitor is basically told to give a bio. Even when the doors of the church are opened, when people come up, they aren't required to give a speech. The minister in charge will then usher them to one of the classrooms.
Accidently edited by mod.
< Message edited by zoebob -- 10/29/2008 6:34:34 AM >
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/29/2008 12:16:20 PM
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seagullplayer
Posts: 245
Joined: 9/18/2007
Status: offline
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Background:
I Pastor a rather small Church in the last year we averaged about 60 for Sunday Morning Worship. I would say we see visitors two weeks out of three, I would say we see first time visitors once a month or so.
When you walk into our Church you will be greeted by a small group of men who seem to know everyone in the world, meaning they never meet a stranger. They shack hands with everyone, tell them how glad we are to see them. I did not appoint these men, and no one asked them to do it, they just know what it means to be friendly.
Sometimes I am at the door when people arrive, sometimes I am busy with other concerns, but normally before the Service starts I and my wife have spoken to or shaken hands with everyone in the Church, visitors included. When I meet someone I have not seen before, or I know it is their first time, I ask them to sign the guest book in the back of the Church when they leave, it asks for address and phone number.
Sometimes when we have several visitors in at one time, say a special occasion, our Worship leader may ask everyone to stand and go around and shack hands with one another, this lets everyone welcome any new people.
At the end of Service, if I am not otherwise detained, I speak to everyone as they leave the Service, and tell them how good it was to have them, this allows me to remind any first timers to sign the guest book.
That week I will personally send a letter to each visitor and to any of our “regulars” that missed Service that week. Sometimes someone may miss two weeks before I send a letter out. And often my wife will send a card in my stead.
IMHO:
While it is important for the Pastor and Church leaders to make contact with new comers to the Church, this is kind of expected. It is when everyone at the Church reaches out to one another that people begin to really feel welcome.
_____________________________
The world has only one problem, sin.
There is only one solution, Jesus.
Seems a lot of people watch evangelist on TV and call it going to church.
My kids use to play Mario Cart and think they where driving…
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/29/2008 12:33:47 PM
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stellaluna
Posts: 4225
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
We have "greeters" in each lobby. We distribute a card to new visitors with a tear-off coupon where they can include their contact information and prayer needs. Finally, we have a reception for first-time visitors after the service, with light snacks, cheerful volunteers, and a gift bag that contains more information, a KPIC coffee mug, etc.
This is very similar to what we do, although we don't hand out gift bags. We have a new visitor information center in the lobby. At the end of the service, our pastor invites anyone who's new to come have coffee with him in "the garage." That's a place right off our sancutary that is outfitted with tables and chairs, etc.
_____________________________
humbleinspirit is in the hospital
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RE: Making Visitors feel Welcome - 10/29/2008 2:06:36 PM
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raspberry331
Posts: 4857
Joined: 5/7/2005
Status: offline
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At my church we have a door greeter that greets everyone. She's been at my church for years and knows who's new and who's not new. She hands out a visitors packet to them and shows them where everything is and where the children's programs are. My Pastor doesn't make anyone stand up,he'll just say something like "If this is your first time here, we welcome you." And then we have a few minutes of meet and greet before he comes and gives the Word.
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