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Walking into a church for a first time guest or former member can be scary, and/or intimidating.
You've been a decade or two in your church, so long that maybe you've forgotten what it’s like to enter the church for the first time.
So how do you welcome your first-time guest or former member feel at home?
Sometimes we need to try to see our church like a first-time guest’s point of view to understand them.
Below is a list of ways on how a congregation, and more specifically you as a member, can love all, who walk through your church door - believers or not.
This is an adapted list from the book Now Go Forward by J. David Eschelman.
1. The most important person for a visitor to talk to in order to feel at home is, news flash - YOU. Every church member is a host and not a guest. Making visitors feel welcome is primarily the responsibility of members, not by the “church.” It is not the pastor, the elder, or the greeter, but from a regular member. Eshleman says “One of the most impressive gestures we can extend to first time visitors is for people with no official position to take the initiative and welcome them”.
I remember that one faithful day I walked in our church for the first time in long years, I was so nervous. I don’t know what to do and what would be their (church members) reactions once they saw me –a former member. I felt anxious but Praise God for one church member, who greeted me first with an earnest hand shake and warmest smile. I instantly felt comfortable, that person’s sincere greeting told me that everything would be alright. The congregation welcomed me like a family but I’ll never forget that person's warm smile. Warm smile really does wonders.
2. Treat first time visitors as guests of God, not strangers passing by.
3. Smile at everyone and offer your hand.
4. Look people in the eye and smile.
5. Take the initiative; don’t wait for visitors to initiate conversation with you or greet you.
6. Learn people’s names and remember them.
7. Use [only] appropriate and allowed touch such as a hand shake or a gentle pat on the back.
8. Ask questions and learn about your guests. Express sincere interest in them.
9. Listening is a very effective way to show love.
10. Greet children at their level and let them be children don’t expect them to be grown-ups.
11. Invite visitors to join you at something, anything! Invite them to have lunch with you and invite them on service/program in the afternoon.
12. Never let new people sit alone. Eschelman says, “New people should never have to sit alone. Take initiative and go to them without delay.”
13. Help visitors find seating that suits their family’s needs.
14. Help first time visitors by being their ‘tour guide’, visiting a new church is like a cross-cultural experience, even for those of us who have visited dozens of other churches.
15. Tell people you’re glad they are here.
16. Be yourself! - You are a loving person and has a capacity to love more.
17 Especially, include them in your Prayer, that they will continue visiting your church and like one Pastor said – “Whatever they came desiring to find, pray that Jesus Christ will give them what they need”.
I think people form opinions on first meetings. They said first impression is the last impression. They form a particular image of who we are based on our looks and body language.
So as a representative of Jesus Christ and your church, act with sincere kindness and compassion. It is important that the first impression of the first time guest should be a lasting experience because maybe we will not get a chance to really show him/her our church and our faith, again.
Visitor will feel your sincerity and when a guest has a good experience, he or she is more likely to return. When they return they are more likely to hear about and experience the love of God. It is that important.
You wouldn't know that that single guest, who walk through your church door signifies years of prayer, service, and invitation by a church member. So serve guests well and multiply your message.
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.” - 3 John 1:5 NIV
Analou
* Welcome image credit to gunsbase.com
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