Everyone wants to be part of a friendly church. But what if there was a way you could be a welcoming church before anyone ever talks to your guests that visit your church? Here are three ways to graciously welcome guests before anyone ever talks to them.
PRINT A BULLETIN FOR THEM
I’m a millennial but call me old fashioned for saying you should print a bulletin. Things are much easier to read on paper rather than a phone. And the bulletin printed on paper is larger than a phone as well.
To graciously welcome your guests be sure to print a bulletin for them. Make sure the text is large enough that it can easily be read (at least 12-point font) and use a basic straightforward legible font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.).
List your church’s contact information, what people can expect when they visit your church, as well as your church’s mission statement and core values. This is your first chance to welcome people to your church and tell them about your church. Don’t miss this opportunity!
At our church we print our bulletin on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper and fold it in half. The front cover of the bulletin changes each week based on the season of year of special occasion of the Sunday (Easter, Veteran’s Day, Lent, etc.). A half-sized sermon outline is printed and inserted into our bulletin each week too.
MAINTAIN YOUR CHURCH BUILDING
Just as a bulletin helps the visitor navigate the church service, a well-maintained facility helps the visitor navigate the church building. Are the rooms well lit so that people can see where they are walking? Is the auditorium where the service is held bright enough that people can find a place to sit both before and when the service begins?
To graciously welcome your visitors make sure the church building is clean. Is there trash in the parking lot or in the grass of the church? Did you check to make sure no neighborhood dogs have pooped in your grass in front of the church? Are the carpets cleaned? Do the bathrooms smell clean? (As a former janitor I learned that bathrooms shouldn’t just look clean, but they should smell clean too.)
And one more thing. No one likes to ask for directions. So make sure your restrooms, nursery, kids program, and other vital areas are clearly labeled so people don’t have to ask where they are. Use big print in block letters (no fancy cursive or pretty letters) so people can easily read them from a distance.
DIRECT THEM THROUGH THE SERVICE
If you notice a few new people at church don’t be afraid to describe the order of service at the beginning of the service. As you move through the different elements of the service you might also tell them what is occurring and what will happen next. Say things like, “Welcome, Lakeview Missionary Church, at this point in our worship service we are going to ________.” Or, “Now that we have worshipped God together with music, at this point in our service we are going to ______________.” Or, “I’d like to invite Carolyn to come to the stage and read Scripture for us as we normally do before the sermon.”
Simple ques like those give your guests signs of where the service is going and helps them know what to expect next. You can also direct people through the church service by printing the order of service in your bulletin if you prefer. That’s a little more work each week, but is helpful for guests to know what to expect as they experience your worship service.
I hope you can see that being a friendly church that welcomes visitors involves more than just talking with people. If you are intentional you can kindly welcome guests with your bulletins, church facility, and direction through the church service.