How Do I Welcome a Visitor to a Church?

Churches should be welcoming and inviting for new visitors.

A church congregation can be a small and close-knit community, but nearly every church will have visitors at some point. While welcoming visitors and new members to a small, family-like group can be awkward and stressful for some people, it's also a must for churches that need to grow.

Instructions

1. Expect newcomers to a church during every service. As close-knit as a church community can be, churches are still public places that are supposed to welcome everyone. Plan on new members and potential members every week, and do your best not to be too exclusive in your treatment of congregation members during worship services. This will help to improve the reputation of your church in the community as well.

2. Welcome everyone, whether they're longtime members or newcomers. This will help everyone feel like they're welcome and wanted within the church. Try to speak to everyone personally, especially visitors and new members. You not only want people to feel welcome, but you will want them to come back. Be enthusiastic when you speak to people as well. This will build enthusiasm in others about the service, the church, and about God.

3. Avoid drawing too much attention to visitors. As nice as it is to be warm and welcoming towards everybody, sometimes the best way to make people feel like they belong is to carry on with business as usual as if they have always been there. Do not ask visitors to introduce themselves during the service, and don't have the congregation sing a song in their honor. Most people who visit a new church simply want to blend in and see what a typical service is like. Breaking the status quo in a misguided attempt to make new people feel welcome is not a typical church service.

4. Give visitors something to remember the church. This is usually something simple, such as a pen or a bookmark. Anything that can work as a good promotional giveaway can work for this purpose. Some more elaborate giveaways that always work to help people remember your church include coffee mugs, t-shirts, and pamphlets explaining the mission and history of the church. Simple gifts usually work best, but anything that will serve as a reminder of your church to potential new members works.

References

• Sharefaith; How to Welcome Church Visitors
• Evangelismcoach.org; Six Hints for Welcoming Visitors to Your Church