First Hand Account: Don’t Forget to Be Welcoming
I don’t know of any church who brags:
“We are the unfriendly church!”
Of course, everyone thinks they are the friendliest, the most hospitable church. But what do these churches really practice? Well…let me tell you about my recent experiences.
For the last three Sundays in November, I was on the road. Never fear! I made it to church two of those three Sundays (thankfully, and as a result, my soul is still intact).
UMC Church #1 was in the south – the cradle of “southern hospitality.” The church I visited was ginormous – which is a fairly technical term for “extremely large.” And the church was packed. The organ was incredible. Everything about this church screamed “ah-mazing.” I was gob smacked by its beauty.
I slipped into the very back pew. When the service was over, I stood up and looked around. No one smiled or said anything to me. I walked down the aisle and took some pictures. Still, no one said a word. I saw an usher picking up the ironically named “friendship pads” and I asked if I could fill out the visitor information. He obliged but never said a word of welcome or indicated any interest that I was there.
I wandered about the large campus and again, no one said a word or asked if I needed any help. Perhaps there are so many people in that congregation no one can tell who is new and who is a regular. I don’t know. But I will say that I did receive a lovely post-visit email from the Director of Evangelism and Hospitality. Kudos for that.
But did I feel welcome on that Sunday?
UMC Church #2 was in the mid-west. It was much smaller than church #1 with maybe 80 people in attendance. The door “greeter” gave nary a smile nor a “hello” and just opened the door (thank you?). I slipped into a pew three rows from the back, sitting by myself. Once again, no one said a thing. I don’t think I was putting out the “please don’t approach me vibe.” Friends will vouch, I am no shrinking violet.
In the middle of the service, I remembered why I hate the Passing of the Peace. When we were asked to do so, I stood up and turned around to say “Peace of the Lord be with you” only to find those folk were already engaged in conversation with their friends. I turned to face forward and... the same thing. I felt weird. After the service deja vu, I was wandering around and checking out the building, and still no one approached me. Really! I showered that morning! Really! I was smiling!
Maybe I hit both of those churches on an “off” Sunday. But…
You will have visitors coming to your congregation this month.
Are you ready for them?
1. Ask a team of six of your most outgoing parishioners to make it their business to welcome anyone they have not seen before or in a long time. This especially includes Christmas Eve.
2. Remind your congregation in a newsletter or even from the pulpit to extend the “right hand of fellowship” to people they don’t know.
And how will you follow up?
New people may be dipping their toe in and checking out your congregation during the Christmas season. Don’t miss the opportunity to collect contact information from them, if they want to give it.
Yesterday, Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, fortuitously posted, Following Up with Christmas Guests. There’s a handy follow-up email and other ideas for letting people know that you’re glad they joined you.
You have a lot on your plate right now. That's a given. But if growing your church is a goal – and let’s face it, we all want to grow – welcoming the stranger, welcoming the visitor needs to be top of mind.
People don’t wander into the church by chance. The Holy Spirit knows who needs to have an experience of a warmed heart and a sense of place and community.
Let your church be that place.
***
A gentle reminder:
Time’s running out! Until Dec. 11 I’m offering my annual Christmas gift to you: Send me a draft of your church’s Christmas/Year End letter. I’ll take a look at it and give you some friendly feedback.
And if you want to remind people of the tax benefits they can get, be sure to include this handy End of Year Gifts and Tax Planning brochure from Faith Foundation Northwest.
Photo credit: CytonPhotography @pexels.com
*****
Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a Stewardship Consultant for the OR-ID Annual Conference. She is also a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship. For 25 years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she has helped raise over three million dollars for numerous churches and non-profit organizations. She’d like for you to get a laugh out of Church Greeters Gone Bad.
You can reach Cesie at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com, at CesieScheuermann.com, or at cesieds@horizons.net. Want to schedule a meeting? She’s got you covered!
Schedule a meeting now.
If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to subscribe to "Inspiring Generosity," click here. Miss an issue? Click here.