One area of church growth and health with which churches often struggle is Guest Relations. I’ve had occasion to visit hundreds of churches during my life and ministry and can make some solid observations. In this and two follow up blogs I will present some insights and pose principles for establishing and maintaining an effective Guest Relations Ministry. Our ultimate goal is for guests and new comers to feel comfortable with us. Strangers and solicitors come to the front door. Friends and family come to the back door.
Principle #1: Create a Culture of Connection.
People are longing for meaningful connections. Not just folks who are regulars and know each other. When guests arrive at your church they have come for a reason. Many are searching for spiritual guidance and authentic relationships. Heighten awareness of the disconnected in your congregation or hallways. Simple steps can be taken to begin to change a culture of connection. Encourage members and regular attenders to ask one another’s names. You’d be surprised how few people congregates really know beyond a familiar face.
Generate opportunities and experiences within the worship service, in groups or classrooms, at welcome centers and doorways for individuals to have extended conversations beyond a simple (even if friendly) greeting. Once guests have been welcomed and a name discovered take a “next step” and introduce them to someone else, especially someone with whom they might find commonality (age, interest, geography, etc.)
If your church promotes small Bible study or connection groups as a value…start with teaching leaders and members to invite, welcome and connect guests to members and one another. Many small groups meet in homes during the week. I applaud that ideal. However, I don’t think I’m alone in that I’m not inclined to go to a stranger’s house with new people I don’t know. Especially if I don’t know the agenda or purpose of the group. Let me get comfortable seeing members in a neutral place or space. I recommend at least some on-site connection groups/events to foster relationships.
One of the first actions is identifying guests and attenders. Discover who is in your church services. In smaller congregations it’s much easier to spot guests. In larger congregations, individuals can slip in and out without communication. One church I served launched a new church management system within a few months of my arrival. Over the first three months of activity, I circulated throughout the two worship services (combined average attendance of 300) and introduced myself to attenders. I searched for their names in the new membership data. To my surprise I found over 200 people sitting in services who were not in our database. I would not be surprised to find similar numbers in other congregations.
Another action is to watch people sitting alone. I notice an extraordinary number of individuals on the end of pews. Whether they are single, married but by themselves or just a little socially distant is tough to determine at first glance. So, initiate a conversation, if comfortable, offer to sit with them. Be careful not to crowd their space. Many people come to our church services alone and leave alone. The church body should be a welcoming and loving refuge.
