1. Widening the Welcome of your Church
Welcome the people.
Explain the purpose of the workshop is to focus on the hospitality you extend on Sunday morning for your first-time guests.
Pray
Widening the Welcome to your Church
Biblical Hospitality for Fruitful Congregations
Widening the Welcome of your Church

2. Hospitality: Three Areas
First-Time Guests: Sunday Morning
First-Time Guests: Follow-up
First-Time Guests: How To Get More
In this workshop we have focused only on the first-time guests on Sunday morning. But hospitality has two other components we have not covered.
There needs to be an effective system of following up on people who return a second time to follow them until they become integrated into some part of the church. An excellent resource is a book written by our Bishop Michael Coyner and a national church consultant who is a clergy member of the Indiana Conference, Doug Anderson. The book is entitled The Race To Reach Out.
Radical hospitality does not wait for people to come to our church. Radical hospitality happens when the people in the pew daily engage people beyond the church in dialogue about faith issues. We need to become once again an invitational church where we not only invite people to church but invite them into a relationship with Jesus. An excellent resource is a new book, Get Their Name subtitled, “Grow Your Church By Growing New Relationships.”

3. Biblical Hospitality
Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God Leviticus 19:34
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? Matthew 25:34-46
Remind people that Biblical Hospitality is deeply rooted in the scriptures.
Leviticus: Substitute “guest” for “stranger.” What we want to do is fulfill this scripture for the guests that come to us. We want to develop a plan that would treat guests like they were one of your own. The truth is often we do not treat our guests like we treat our own. Give me some ideas of how we treat our own on Sunday morning (hand shakes, smile, hugs, conversation, etc.) All the scripture is reminding us to do is to treat our guests with the same hospitality we extend to each other.
Matthew: 25: Ask the group to make a list and use newsprint to record their responses --- If I came as a stranger, how would you demonstrate your welcome of me? Based on these two passages.

4. Statements from Guests
“This appeared to be a very loving and friendly church environment; however that friendliness did not get directed to a new person like myself” or “People had their groups but I felt invisible.”
“They were the friendliness folks I ever met. I felt so comfortable and welcomed into their church. As I walked to my seat up front, many of the people near me got up and introduced themselves and also shook my hand.”
Here are two responses of two mystery guests who attend a worship service in a UM Church in our conference. IN the first statement, did you notice that the guest saw the congregation was loving and friendly with each other? What do you think they saw? (Encourage the group to give responses.
Ask the group to imagine why the congregation never directed their love or friendliness to their guest. (Too much attention on greeting each other while perhaps unintentionally greeting the guest.
Either tell of a time you were not welcomed by a group or ask someone in the group to share a similar time.
Show of hands: How many of you would return to a church a second time when you felt invisible the first time?
Contrast the first statements with this one. The key phrase is “I felt comfortable and welcomed.” It feels uncomfortable to enter a place where you know no one, yet this person felt very comfortable in that place with those people. Share with me why you think this guest felt so comfortable.
While there were greeters and ushers, who really impressed this guest? Answer: The people who got up and came to her and introduced themselves.

5. Visitors or Guests
How does your church refer to people who are coming for the first, second, or third time? Visitors or Guests?
The visitor who comes to your door is the one who is coming for a short time for a specific task.  This is the salesman who rings your doorbell and more often than not you grudgingly get up wondering who it is who is bothering you at the door.  Once you find out who it is you try your best to get rid of this visitor.
Have the group answer the question on the slide. Think of your welcoming statements in worship, how people refer to the new people coming.
It is important for churches to watch their language when it comes to how it welcomes and refers to those who have come to the church for the first time.  Often, these persons who are coming for the first time are referred to as “visitors.”  “Visitors” are welcomed to the church and invited to sign the pew pad.  In the worst of all circumstances “visitors” are asked to stand and be recognized. NEVER HAVE PEOPLE STAND. Most guests come just checking us out; they did not come to “stand out.”
It is more helpful to use the word “guests” as opposed to visitors.  The use of the word “guests” to refer to people who are first, second or third time attendees is more than mere semantics or word play.

6. Our Guests
Guests are the people who are truly important to you.  With these folks you are expecting them.  They do not come by surprise.  You prepare for them.  You clean the house and the bathrooms!  You might get out your best dishes or find that yummy recipe.  You eagerly await their arrival and warmly greet them when they arrive.  You engage them during their time with you and hope they will stay. When it is time to go you warmly say good bye and thank them for coming and look forward to being with them again
In the end, do the people who come through our doors really care whether we call them visitors or guests?  Probably not. 
But Jesus cares whether we treat them like guests or visitors,
Furthermore, by using the terminology of guests it allows for a teachable moment with our leadership and those already a part of our church and serves as a crucial reminder to us to offer radical hospitality to our guests each and every Sunday.

7. Not All Guests Are The Same
Dissatisfied Guest are looking for a “better church.” Either yours has what they are looking for or it doesn’t. Their decision about returning will be based on these criteria.
Invited Guest come at the request of someone they know. They may not be looking for a church, but they may find a reason to return and stay.
Seekers Guest want something spiritual.  They look for real people with genuine smiles. They want authentic answers to their questions.
Skippers Guest jump from church to church. Some like to meet people or network. Others are transient, moving on when something doesn’t suit them. Sometimes their job calls for continual travel.
Deep-Rooted Guests are active in their church and looking for a place to settle in for the long haul. When they move into a community, they are usually ready to serve.
Not all persons come to us the first time for the same reasons. However, some motivating factor has caused them to come when they did. This list is not meant to be exhaustive but suggestive of why anyone will show up as a first-time guest in our worship.
Read and discuss each category.
Ask if anyone would like to add a group to the list.

8. Expectations for Guests
#1: What do you want the Guest to feel as a result of joining you on Sunday morning?
#2: What specific expectations does the Guest bring to coming to your church?
#3: What does failing to meet your guests’ expectations for coming on Sunday morning look like?
#4: What does exceeding your Guests’ expectations for coming on Sunday morning look like?
Using newsprint, have each table group divide the sheet in to four quadrants. Have them answer each question in one of the quadrants.
Have then put their newsprint on the wall for all to review.
As the leader, pick out the main points of their answers.

9. FYI: The video is a testimony of a person who was looking for a church
FYI: The video is a testimony of a person who was looking for a church. She talks about churches she visited that offered if no hospitality. She did find a church that offer her the hospitality for which she was seeking. Although it was not an UMC, her testimony reminds us of the need to offer radical hospitality!
After the video, ask the participants what they heard about the lack of hospitality in some churches and the hospitality she found in one church.
On a scale of 1 (no Hospitality) to 10 (Total Hospitality) where would you put your church on that continuum?

10. Hospitality Components
Greeters and Ushers
People in Pews
Connectors
Welcome Packet
Signage
Welcome Desk
Attendance: Registration
Clean, Maintained Building
Here is a list of components that help first-time guests experience our friendliness and acceptance.
All the above items must be in place and working together. We are going to look at each of these items and do some assessment of each of your church’s components.

11. Same people for long blocks of time
People persons
Same people for long blocks of time
The people who serve as greeters and ushers should be people persons who are comfortable talking to people they do not know and engaging them in a brief conversation. Those who have the spiritual gift of hospitality make exceptional greeters and/or ushers.
It is beneficial to have the same greeters and ushers each week for an extended period of time rather than switching persons each week. If the same persons serve on consecutive Sundays they remember the guests from the previous week if they return and are able to welcome them a second or third time.
Anyone who serves as a greeter or usher needs training to know how to offer authentic hospitality. (next slide)
Should be trained

12. Greeters and Ushers
Too often greeters and ushers engage their friends and say hello to guests. They need to be trained to engage the guests and say hello to their friends.
Greeters and usher start a conversation with “My name is __________. I don’t think we have met before.” They express a genuine welcome on behalf of the congregation and one of the greeters takes them to the Welcome Desk.
Most greeters and ushers are more comfortable having a conversation with people they know. So often, rather than a casual good morning, they do not know how to effectively greet a guest.
The training will provide huge benefits for the church in extending hospitality. The training will need to be repeated periodically as new people are invited to be either greeters or ushers.

13. A free, downloadable resource on the web
The UMC has a free, downloadable complete training for greeters and ushers that you can you use freely in your church.
The church needs to set a deadline for training and take the tough stance that if you have not been through the training you cannot usher or greet. The training is that critical for the “font-line” people to extend hospitality,

14. Connectors
A connector is a person or group of persons who who invest in building relationships with guests and helps them “connect” into a ministry where the guests will get their needs met.
The connector will keep in contact with and track the guest until the guest becomes a regular attender. Get involved in ministry, and fosters a relationship with Jesus Christ.

15. Hospitality: People In Pews
The responsibility for hospitality is the responsibility of every person in the pew.
Rule of 10: Greet anyone you do not know who sits within 10 feet of you before worship begins.
Rule of 3: Spend at least the first 3 minutes after worship with the people you do not know.
Rule of 2: Introduce the person(s) to at least two other people.
Repeatedly remind people of these three rules is as many ways as possible!
Hospitality is not limited to greeters and ushers. It is not a task that is assigned only to them. They are the “font-line” people that begin the process. Every person in the pew needs to see themselves as an integral part of expressing hospitality and welcoming people.
Here are three rules that each person in the congregation needs to know and practice every Sunday. They are not difficult rules to follow but will make hospitality really work in your church.
Rule of 10: Each worshipper should be looking around before, during, and after worship to see which people they do not know. Either before the service, during a greeting time, or after the service, they will go to that person(s) and introduce themselves and welcome the guest.
Rule of 3: For the first three minutes after worship have a conversation with people you do not know. Being with: “Hello, my name is _____________. I don’t think we have met.”
Rule of 2: Introduce the guests to at least two other people in the congregation so they can greet the guest(s).

16. FYI: This video is about people in the pew making people feel welcome
FYI: This video is about people in the pew making people feel welcome. The first part is when the person in the pew decides not to offer hospitality. You may want to pause the video at that point and ask: How would you feel as the visitor? Why was it so difficult for the person in the pew to make the connection with the new person?
The second part of the video is a replay and the person in the pew gets it right!

17. Welcome Packet
What should be in the packet is what will help the guest connect with your church. All material is geared to help guests know who you are and how they can connect with you. A prominent piece should be a color brochure that says, “Glad you were our guest today.” Put things in the brochure that will be good information for guests to know.
The “package” for the packet should be attractive and inviting.
One church worked with a nearby gas station and put a card in the Welcome Packet that said. “Thanks for being our guest today. Your return visit is on us.” The card was a $5.00 gift certificate for gas. This is a much more appreciated gift that a church coffee mug or other “merchandise.”
Other things you might include is a devotional book like the Upper Room with a note that our church believes that daily reflection and prayer is a practical way to experience the freshness of our God. Include the latest church newsletter, the mission and vision of your church.
As coach, you might find a welcome packet from a church that you think is effective and share the contents with the group.
Whatever you give the guest should like a nice gift that you are giving on behalf of the congregation.

18. Signage
Those of us who know our buildings and where things are located, need to look at our buildings as if we have never been here before.
Do people know which door to enter to most easily get where they need to be?
Once inside, is their clear signage that directs people to the nursery, children’s area, sanctuary, restrooms?
1. A young couple with a three year old child entered a church for the first time. They entered what appeared to be the front door.. Once inside, they were confronted with stairs that either when up or went down. They went up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, there was a parlor to the left and to the right were the church offices. Just before arriving, the three-year old said, “Mommy, I have to go potty.” This family was really frustrated with the church because there was no signage to help them know where to quickly find a bathroom. They almost did not return though they liked the worship service. They were really turned off by the non-hospitality of the church.
2. Studies have shown that people make a judgment about the church in the first three to six minutes of entering the church that is either negative or positive and never neutral.

19. Welcome Desk
A designated, very prominent marked place where people know to come if they have questions or concerns.
The place greeters and ushers will take people and introduce them to the hosts at the desk. Here they will get the welcome packet and fill our a guest card giving the information they desire to give.
There should be additional, attractive material that would be of interest to guests.
The purpose of the Welcome Desk is to provide assistance and information to your guests. They are there to answer questions, assists guests in finding a locations, and to distribute designated materials as needed such as the welcome packet.
The Welcome Desk need to be in a prominent place that is well marked so guests know where it is located.
At the desk should be material the guest might be interested in such as brochure about children's ministry, youth ministry, bible study, mission groups, etc. These pieces should be designed with a focus on the guest.

20. Attendance: Registration
You need to get information about your guests in a non-threatening manner.
You need to use that information to contact your guests after their first visit and subsequent visits.
You need a tracking-system so that people do not get lost in the cracks. This is the second phase of a Hospitality initiative.
In order to extend further hospitality to guests, you will need to get some basic information about them such as names, address, address, etc. Try to limit what you ask for to just the essentials you need. Most people are not comfortable giving personal information to people they do not know.
If you use registration pads or attendance cards at the pews, make sure everyone signs them. Make a statement: “We invite guests to sign our registration pad (Attendance Card) and give us the information you would like for us to have. We want you to know that we will not share your personal information with anyone.
More guests are prone to give you more information if you ask them to fill out a card when you give them the gift from the church.

21. Clean, Maintained Buildings
Do your facilities look like they are expecting important guests?
Are things dusted, the floors swept, are the halls well-lit?
Is the nursery and children’s area clean and attractive for new guests with children?
Is there clutter in the hallways and coat racks?
Are bulletin boards up-to-date with interesting information especially for guests?
Here are some key questions for your consideration. If I were to come to your house as your guest, what would you do? (get some answers like clean the house, make sure everything is in place, etc.)
Two of the most critical areas are the nursery and the children’s area. They need the highest level of attractiveness and cleanliness. Parents will not return to facilities that do not meet their standards.
One of the responsibilities of the Trustees should be to continually review how the church looks from the eyes of potential guests and take necessary steps to correct any deficiencies.

22. Steps Forward
Does your church train all greeters and ushers in hospitality ministry?
Do you continually remind the people in the pew to practice the Rule Ten, Rule Three, and Rule Two?
Have you created a welcome packet that entices guests to return?
Is there a Welcome Desk that is visible and clearly marked, staffed with friendly people, and has available a gift and brochures about events and programs of the church?
Do you have an effective system to get guest information and track guest participation?
Does your church look like you are expecting important guests?
Here is a list of the things you will need to have in place for effective hospitality for first-time guests.
As you read the list, let people respond about where they think they are on that item. This will help them discern what they need to do.

23. Hospitality: Follow Up First-Time Guests
Collate the information from visitor registration to be entered in church database.
A lay person calls within 24 hours (sooner is better than later) to thank them for being guests and see if they have any questions. They always ask, “May I ask why you came to our church this Sunday?” Always close by inviting the guests back to worship.

24. Hospitality: Follow Up First-Time Guests
The pastor sends a letter on Monday welcoming the guests.
When the guests returns the third time, do an in-home visit by a lay person. The focus is on the new visitor not the church.
Share appropriate information and follow up accordingly.

25. Hospitality: Three Areas
First-Time Guests: Sunday Morning
First-Time Guests: Follow-up
First-Time Guests: How To Get More
In this workshop we have focused only on the first-time guests on Sunday morning. But hospitality has two other components we have not covered.
There needs to be an effective system of following up on people who return a second time to follow them until they become integrated into some part of the church. An excellent resource is a book written by our Bishop Michael Coyner and a national church consultant who is a clergy member of the Indiana Conference, Doug Anderson. The book is entitled The Race To Reach Out.
Radical hospitality does not wait for people to come to our church. Radical hospitality happens when the people in the pew daily engage people beyond the church in dialogue about faith issues. We need to become once again an invitational church where we not only invite people to church but invite them into a relationship with Jesus. An excellent resource is a new book, Get Their Name subtitled, “Grow Your Church By Growing New Relationships.”