Can You Encourage Someone ?

According to Webster Dictionary, the word encourage means “to inspire with courage or hope.” As I ponder that definition, I think about the acts of encouragement that I have experienced being a visitor at a church and those acts that others have shared. Here’s a short list of gestures to encourage and consider sharing in your newsletter or bulletin. A lead usher or Sunday School teacher may decide to take each of these as a discussion point for your next session.

As you interact with visitors on Sunday… Read More→

Moment on Welcoming Strangers…

Last Sunday, I was driving to church and saw a man on a bicycle on his way to a church. I could not help but wonder, what happened when he got to there ?

Sometimes people who don’t look like us have a difficult time being welcomed on Sunday mornings.  Too often we expect everyone to dress like us, talk like us and even drive cars like us. When someone shows up appearing different, what happens?

As  I was driving to church and saw a man dressed in a hat, riding a bike and approaching a church, my hope was that the ushers, greeters or persons he would meet in the parking lot would truly know how to welcome. When I thought about him, I thought about what it might feel like if you walk in as a new comer and are welcomed regardless of how you come.

Here are 5 tips to share with your ushers/greeters team at their next meeting: Read More→

As Christians everywhere are preparing to celebrate the birth of our Savior, people who may not have visited church for a long time may decide to come with a neighbor or simply walk through the doors. What will they notice?

While you may have all of these questions on your mind, research and conversations with people who were formerly unchurched have revealed these things as essential to creating a welcoming environment. To create this list, I simply asked first time visitors, “What did you notice first when you visited here?” Although the responses are not scientific they sync with research studies that look at first time visitors.

1. Friendly People – One of the thoughts most on the minds of many first time visitors is whether the members, ushers, leaders including the youth are friendly. From the parking lot to the pews, first time visitors are looking for ambassadors of the church who share gestures of wanting someone to worship and come back. Hospitality Tip: This translates to greeting in the pews and the parking lot, escorting lost people to their destination and willingness for members to be the first to introduce.

2. Safe and guest-friendly Parking lot - Parking lots that are clearly marked with available and well lit parking spaces are essential. Hospitality Tip: This translates to possibly marking a few reserve for guests spots for the Christmas season. Read More→

“How can we keep young adults who visit our church?” This question comes up almost every time I work with a congregation on ways to attract, reach and keep the community.

One of the common mistakes found at many churches is believing that adding a praise band will make the entire difference.

The above elements help shape young adults impression; but research and conversations with younger adults reveal how we welcome through new relationships also adds to the keep factor of the experience. To help us see things from their perspective, here are 5 Things Church Folks can do to Truly Welcome Younger Adults.

1. Be real and not just polite or nice. Sharing a genuine welcome is heart filled. If we want to pour on the love think about how we approach people. A superficial smile versus  warm, genuine eye to eye contact exudes, “you are welcomed.” Just as you do with people your own age, look at how you approach people. Be real. Read More→