Are You Ready to Make Room to Welcome?
Are you ready to make room to welcome? I ask this question after visiting with many clergy, ministry leaders and others as I attended three very different church conferences in the last few weeks. I was amazed to see how some people went out of their way to connect with strangers while others remained silent even when attendees with conference name badges sat next to them. What happens when strangers come within speaking distance? Connecting in the elevator, seeing people at hospitality hour and being a part of the crowd can tell us a lot about how we welcome. Do we smile when we come face to face with a stranger? Are we waiting for the stranger to make the first move? In other words, how do we personally make room to welcome?
Each summer millions of people relocate to new communities for new job opportunities, family, better schools, etc. Although the number of people relocating was down to 11.9% in 2008 versus 13.5% in 2007 ( According to US Census data), more than 35 million people relocated. Moving before school starts is very popular. New people may be moving in your neighborhood this week. Will your congregation make room to welcome?
“Create a hospitality mindset.” This is the first step I share in my new training DVD, Make Room to Welcome. If we are serious about reaching out to new comers in the community, we have got to find ways to extend hospitality. I am reminded of Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” We must be prepared to show our Christian love even if the church has “summer hours,” no summer Sunday School or Bible Study. Here’s my short list of ideas to prepare to welcome strangers this summer.
- Gather ushers and greeters and conduct hospitality refresher training as a way to renew.
- Frequently share bulletin and newsletter tips like our W.A.R.M. Welcome formula (Acronym shared in our Make Room to Welcome training to help you welcome). Remind members why welcoming matters.
- Get a copy of my Make Room to Welcome training DVD and prepare to train the hospitality team at your church. (Members, ushers and greeters)
- Review the letter or packet currently shared with worship guests. Ask yourself, would a new resident find this welcoming?
I do urge you to check out my new DVD. I am excited to share more about it. To learn more go to my website.