The Ten Minute Rule
The first impression guests leave with determines whether they will be back. So what is it that goes into a good first impression? We interviewed…
Browsing: Hospitality
Articles
Welcoming Newcomers to Your Congregation
How can you best welcome the next newcomer who crosses the threshold of your congregation? Consider Jesus’ call to the disciples. When he said, “Follow…
Small Churches, Belonging, and the Harley-Davidson Funeral
There is much confusion among churches today resulting from the painful reality that much of our sense of belonging was dependent upon the status and…
Do New People at Your Church Need a GPS?
Have you ever asked for directions? The practice was much more common in pre-GPS days. As a pastor in small towns and rural areas of…
Thinking Like a Host
From beginning to end, the Bible teaches us how to be hospitable. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find stories of people acting as…
Church as an Uncommon Community
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples,” says the LORD through the prophet Isaiah (56:7). What could this possibly mean…
Five Must-Know Facts about First-Time Guests
Healthy and growing churches pay close attention to the people they count as members, as well as those people who are not yet a part…
The Ministry of Greeting is for Everyone
In many churches, the approach to greeting worshipers assumes that the main focus should be on greeting guests and that seasoned church members make the…
Ways to Welcome Worship Guests Warmly
Greet guests when they first arrive in the parking lot. Greet guests as they arrive at the door, saying “Good to see you. Glad you…
How Do New People See Your Church?
With all the strengths of a church, the challenge is always to think of everything from arrival through departure from the perspective of someone who…
Parking Lot Hospitality
Most churches give attention to welcoming newcomers to church once they reach the church doors. Often they will be welcomed by both greeters and ushers.…
17 Ways to Welcome College Students
Your church can make a big difference in the life of a college student! Here are some fun and easy ways to welcome college students…
Everyone Welcome?
Many congregations truly do believe they are open to everyone until someone different comes along making them feel uncomfortable. I meet people all the time…
Do Not Enter
When you drive east on Westchester Avenue, the first sign you see when you approach Temple Beth Am is “Do Not Enter.” When we pointed…
