Return to flip book view

Message EXPECTINGGUESTSThe Greeter’s Guide to Hospitality

“Above all, keep loving one anotherearnestly, since love covers a multitudeof sins. Show hospitality to one anotherwithout grumbling.” 1 Peter 4 : 8 - 9

Contents3Introduction5Hospitality Matters8The “5D”s of Guests133 Requests of Guests17Thoughtfulness19Our Win6Guests or Visitors23External Events25A Great Lasting Impression

Being a part of the greeter ministry team is a truly valuableand rewarding experience. As greeters, you play a vital role increating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyonewho walks through the church doors. By being a part of thegreeter team, you are not just welcoming people into abuilding; you are welcoming them into a caring communitywhere they can feel accepted and valued.Consider the numbers 7 to 11. Besides associating thosenumbers with awesome slushies, 7 to 11 minutes is how longpeople take to make up their minds whether or not they willvisit a second time to our church. 7 to 11 minutes, that’s it.Not the first 7 to 11 minutes of our song worship, or the first7 to 11 minutes of the sermon. The first 7 to 11 minutes ofdriving onto our campus.7 to 11 minutes is why your role is so important. Simply bymaking someone feel warm and welcomed, you can plant aseed of kindness and love that may grow into a deeperconnection with the church and with God. You never knowhow a simple greeting or a friendly gesture can touchsomeone's heart and inspire them to seek a deeperrelationship with Christ. By being a part of the greeter team,you are not just opening doors; you are opening hearts to thelove of God.Introduction3

4

Hospitality MattersWhy does hospitality matter? What exactly is hospitality?Why should the church be at the forefront of hospitality? Hospitality is an expression of warmth, kindness, andopenness that can transform relationships andcommunities. The essence of hospitality lies in its ability tocreate a welcoming space where individuals feel valued,respected, and cared for. According to the dictionary,hospitality is "the friendly and generous reception andentertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers." Thisdefinition captures the essence of hospitality as not just aset of actions, but a lifestyle of generosity.The friendly, generous reception, and entertainment ofguests is all throughout the Bible. At the heart of hospitalityis the heart of God. Adam and Eve sinned and becameoutsiders and enemies of God, and he pursued them, lovedthem, and provided clothing for them (Genesis 3). Israel didnot escape from Egypt; they were rescued by God. God’sconstant reminders to them were to remember the outsider.He consistently reminded His people that they werestrangers, even enemies of Him, and He brought them intothe family through His son, Jesus. Jesus modeledhospitality and allowed others to show Him hospitality. Onemight even argue that Jesus' message to anyone who wouldlisten is that the love of God always translates to the love ofpeople. And not just people that look like, act like, and thinklike we do, but to ALL people! Hospitality matters because itmatters to God.5

Guest or VisitorWhy use the word guest? Does it really matter if we callpeople guests or visitors? Words do matter. Words matterto the people who hear them, and words also affect how weprepare. Consider these sayings, “We had several guestslast Sunday” or “We had several visitors last Sunday.” Theword visitor implies those individuals or families are notcoming back. To be someone’s visitor implies that theyshowed up unannounced, and therefore an interruption. Aguest implies an invitation. If we invite someone, then weexpect them to come. And if we expect someone to come,then we prepare for them. Consider the two following illustrations. Think about beingat home, and someone comes to your door uninvited.Consider the lack of preparation and lack of expectation.Maybe you’re in your pajamas because you didn’t knowsomeone was coming. Maybe you didn’t clean up, or therewas junk in the yard. The outside lights are turned off.Maybe they couldn’t park close to your house because yourvehicles were in the way. You crack the door open becauseyou’re not sure who it is, and your visitor feels embarrassedabout ruining your evening.Sadly, this is how many people experience church for thefirst time. They risk trying a new place only to discover wewere not expecting them. We were not ready or prepared.Our hope is that this is not true of our guests that visit useach week.6

GUESTVSVISITORGiftExpectingInvitedSeekingInterruptionUnannouncedUnplannedPassing Through7Now, what if you had been expecting that person? What if heor she had been invited? What would be different? You’d bedressed and ready. The house would be clean, maybe evenextra clean. There is probably something cooking for yourcompany. Maybe you moved your vehicle(s) so your guestcould have a better spot to park. Instead of your guest beingan interruption and showing up unannounced, you’re outsidewaiting for them so you can greet them. Your guest arrivesand knows without a doubt you’ve been expecting them. This is our desire each time we have people on our campus.We have guests, not visitors, and we want our guests toknow we’ve been expecting them and have even prepared forthem. The following is a simple contrast between the twowords:

The 5 ”D”s of GuestsA church rarely has guests for the first time simply becausethat individual or family just decided to attend a new churchthat morning. The explanation is probably better understoodas one of the 5 ”D”s. The 5 ”D”s of guests are not originalto us; they are a compilation of several differentcomponents we’ve studied in the area of hospitality. Displaced1.Disease/Death 2.Divorce 3.Discontentment4.Disaster 5. Displaced Individuals may be visiting because they have beendisplaced. They may have just moved to the area because ofmarriage or a new job, or they may have moved because of anatural disaster. Displaced individuals or families have friends andcommunities they have left. They are starting over in a newtown, and Temple can be a front door to welcoming them.Temple can be one of the first places they feel loved andaccepted in their new town. 8

Disease/DeathFacing the death or illness of a loved one can be a deeplyemotional and distressing experience. Many people turnto churches seeking comfort, support, and a sense ofpeace. Churches often provide a source of hope andstrength for individuals dealing with grief or illness. Ourfaith can offer a perspective that goes beyond immediatesuffering, providing hope for healing, comfort in times ofloss, and strength to endure difficult circumstances. People may also turn to us for spiritual guidance to helpthem make sense of their experiences and find meaningin their suffering. We can provide a space for individualsto explore their spiritual beliefs, and at times, receivecounseling.Our church is a community of support where peopleconnect with others who share similar experiences.Visiting Temple can provide an opportunity to besurrounded by a caring community that offers practicalassistance, emotional support, and a sense of belongingduring their challenging times. Lastly, confronting mortality can lead people to reflect onthe purpose and meaning of life. Temple can provide aspace for individuals to engage in discussion aboutquestions they may have on these subjects. 9

Divorce also brings with it pain and hurt that cannot behealed with the coping agents of this world. Individualsexperiencing a divorce may begin visiting a church for thefirst time or visit another church to make a fresh start.Divorce, in certain contexts, may have a social stigma, and individuals who are divorced may feel shame, judgement orexcluded by other members of the congregation. Divorce can be emotionally challenging, and attendingTemple may remind a divorced person of their past orcurrent struggles, making it emotionally difficult toparticipate in the life of the church. We need to be sensitiveto this and offer a space where divorced individuals feelloved and valued. After a divorce, a person's sense ofbelonging to a church may be disrupted, and they may feellike they no longer fit in or are welcome in their formerchurch. Lastly, divorce can lead people to reevaluate their faith orspiritual beliefs. Visiting Temple can be a way to reconnectwith one's faith, seek answers to questions about thedivorce, and find a sense of peace and acceptance. Divorce 10

DiscontentmentIndividuals searching for contentment will eventually realizenothing in this life will satisfy separated from Jesus. Peoplediscontented with life, family, job, or even a local churchmay walk through the doors of our church building lookingfor answers. A person who is feeling discontented with their life may besearching for guidance and meaning. They may turn Templein the hope of finding answers to their questions or a senseof purpose. Discontentment can be accompanied by feelingsof sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness. We can provide aspace where people can find comfort and hope. Discontentment may prompt someone to explore their faithor spirituality more deeply. They may visit Temple to learnabout our faith, seek guidance from staff or, or engage inclasses that help them connect with God. We want to beavailable to leverage our influence and lead them to Christ.Lastly, people a searching for a sense of purpose.Discontentment often arises from a sense of dissatisfactionwith one's current circumstances or a lack of direction in life.We can offer opportunities for volunteering, communityservice, and mission work that can provide a sense ofpurpose and fulfillment. 11

A disaster can be classified as something not seen. Forexample, someone may lose their job, or someone may havedamage from a tornado. Maybe there is not a death, butsomething has occurred to that brings that individual orfamily to a realization they are not in control. During times of disaster, people may turn to Temple forspiritual and emotional support. The Temple family canprovide a sense of comfort and peace through prayer,counseling, and fellowship with others who are experiencingsimilar hardships. Disasters can be traumatic anddisorienting, leading people to seek meaning and hope in themidst of chaos. We have the opportunity and privilege tooffer a sense of purpose and hope. Lastly, for some individuals, experiencing a disaster canprompt a reevaluation of their beliefs and priorities. Theymay turn to us as a way to reconnect with their faith or seekanswers to existential questions prompted by the crisis. Disaster12Why the 5 “D”s?The 5 “D”s represent the individuals and families who visitour church each week. These are the people we are greetingand welcoming. We may not know exactly what’s going on,but God has brought us a gift in bringing us a guest. Ourguests are gifts that we have a responsibility to stewardwell and care for.

3 Requests of GuestsHospitality is different in different contexts. Local churchesshould listen to their guests to determine what makes for awarm and welcoming atmosphere and what does not. Thefollowing are three requests we believe guests are asking ofTemple: Don’t ignore me. Don’t embarrass me.Don’t overwhelm me.13

Please, don’t ignore me.Guests want to be noticed. When guests are noticed andgreeted warmly, they feel valued and appreciated, fostering asense of belonging and connection. This simple act ofacknowledgment can make a big difference in how guestsperceive the church and whether they choose to return. Thereneeds to be a plan to help guests take their next step. If weconsider the visitor vs. guest illustrations from earlier, guestscan tell if we’ve been expecting them or not. We also need toremember why people may be visiting for the first time. Connect CardOur simple next step for our guests is the Connect Card.Where to get the card, when to fill it out, and where to dowith it all need to be clearly communicated each Sunday. Wedo this during the welcome each week. If someone visits aWednesday night class, the leader of the class is responsiblefor gathering the guests information. We understand the congregation may get tired of hearing theconnect card announcement each week, but guests are justhearing it for the first time. Also, the consistency ofcommunicating the next step teaches the congregation whatto communicate to guests as their next step. 14

Please, don’t embarrass me.There is a fine line between not ignoring guests andembarrassing guests. We want to make sure our guests areseen and noticed. However, we always want to be sensitiveto our guests and not do anything to embarrass them. We engage everyone we see and if we do not recognizesomeone, we: Do not ask the question,“Is this your first time here?” This can put someone on the spot and make themuncomfortable. Simply introduce yourself and say, “I don’tthink I’ve had the pleasure to meet you.” They will give youall the information you need. For example, “My name isDrew. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure to meet you.” Theyrespond, “Nice to meet you! I’m Beth and this is only oursecond time attending.” This phrase may also save you fromhurting a member or regular attenders feeling. For example,“My name is Drew. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure tomeet you.” They respond, “My name is Beth and I’ve been amember for about 2 years now.” Now you can respond,“That’s great, I’m glad I finally had a chance to meet you.” It's important to remember that being in a new environmentcan be intimidating, so we should avoid doing anything thatmight embarrass our guests.15

Please, don’t overwhelm me.Guests want to be noticed, valued, and seen, but not somuch that they feel overwhelmed. Churches must find abalance. Newcomers may already feel out of place oruncertain, and an overwhelming environment can intensifythese feelings. By taking a more gentle and intentionalapproach, we can help guests feel more at ease.Our next step for guests is the connect card. If guests ask forinformation about groups, or age group ministries, that’sgreat! If they ask, definitely tell them about all we have, butdo not overwhelm them with a bunch of information aboutTemple if they are not requesting it. We offer various ways to connect and get involved withoutan immediate expectation of membership as well. We needto help our guests ease into the Temple fmaily at their ownpace. By creating a warm and inviting atmosphere thatrespects their boundaries, we can foster a sense of belongingand acceptance for all who walk through their doors.Guests can be intimidated by the size of our campus andthey may not know exactly why we do what we do. We needto always try to remember what is was like the first time wevisited Temple. How did we feel? Were we confused? We’rewe overwhelmed? Remembering how we felt can help us bemore sensitive and compassionate toward our guests.16

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humilitycount others more significant than yourselves. Let each ofyou look not only to his own interests, but also to theinterests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Phillipireminding them to “count others more significant thanthemselves” and to “think about others”. Selfishness thinksabout the self, but humility thinks about others. Consideringthe needs of others can be summed up in one word,thoughtfulness. According to the dictionary, the word thoughtfulness means“consideration for the needs of others.” What will set usapart as a local church? What will be the thing that peopleleave on Sunday morning thinking about? What will first-time guests give as feedback when a staff member callsthem the week after they visit? What will be the reason thatin the first 7 to 11 minutes people decide to visit a secondtime to your local church? The answer is thoughtfulness. We will break down thoughtfulness into 4 ares: AnticipatingNeeds, Flexiblity and Responsivenss, Genuine Care andEmpathy, and Going the Extra Mile. Thoughtfulness17

Anticipating NeedsThoughtful hospitality involves anticipating the needs ofguests before they arise. This can include providingwheelchairs at the entrance(s), umbrellas if it’s raining,checking in children, or providing hand sanitizing stations. Flexibility and Responsiveness Thoughtful hospitality is flexible and responsive to guests'needs and preferences. This can involve accommodatingspecial requests, or being proactive in addressing any issuesor concerns that may arise. We can anticipate needs, but wemust also be available for our guests requests.Genuine Care and Empathy Thoughtful hospitality is characterized by genuine care andempathy for guests. This involves treating guests withkindness and respect, listening to their concerns, and beingattentive to their emotional needs. Going the Extra MileThoughtful hospitality often involves going above andbeyond to exceed guests' expectations. This may meanwiping down a coffee station, or picking up trash in yourarea. This could include walking a family to three differentministry areas to check in kids, or helping an individual find awheelchair. Going the extra mile means showing up with aposture and attitude to serve others. 18

GREETGRIN AND BE FRIENDLYRECOGNIZE NEEDSENGAGE EVERYONE W/ ENTHUSIASMESCORT GUESTSTHANK GUESTS FOR COMING19Our Win

This should go without saying, but it’s so important. If wethink about the “5D”s of visiting a church, every one ofthem could use a smile and a friendly greeting. People aredriving onto our campus and coming through the doors, notknowing what to expect, and a friendly, smiling face can setsomeone at ease. GGRIN AND BE FRIENDLYRRECOGNIZE NEEDSInternal NeedsInternal refers to the needs around you, in your space. Youmay get to your space on Sunday and see trash lying on thefloor. Go ahead and pick it up. You may be missing somethingthat is usually in your space. People borrow things all the timearound here. For example, maybe you’re serving in the foyer,and you notice there isn’t a wheelchair. You can contact yourcaptain and let them know. You can also walk to each of theother doors and see if there are multiple wheelchairs atanother door. 20

Consider the “5D”s of guests that were discussed earlier. Wereally do not know who is driving onto our campus. It’s alsogetting more difficult to recognize regular attenders andguests. Engage everyone. Give them a high five, hug, orshake their hand. EENGAGE EVERYONE W/ ENTHUSIASMEESCORT GUESTSThink about the last time you went to Walmart, or Lowes, orTarget, or Ross…and you ask where a certain item is. Didthey walk you to the item, or point and tell you where? If wesimply point to where something is located, the individual orfamily may get lost on the way. Walk with guests to ensurethey get to where they want to go. Escorting guests alsogives time to ask them questions and get to know how wecan best serve them. External Needs External needs refer to the needs of guests, members, andregular attenders. See if you can spot how to help thembefore they have to ask. Does your church use languagethat is only understood by insiders? 21

TTHANK GUESTS FOR COMINGExit greeting is an opportunity to leave a lasting impressionon guests and regular attendees alike. As people leave theservice, a warm and genuine “see you next week!” can showappreciation for their presence and reinforce a sense ofbelonging. This simple act can make guests feel valued andmore likely to return, as they see the church as a welcomingand caring community. Additionally, exit greeting provides achance to thank guests for coming, expressing gratitude fortheir attendance and interest in the church. This personaltouch can go a long way in building relationships andfostering a positive perception of our church.Exit greeting also offers a valuable opportunity to addressany questions or concerns that guests may have. Whileguests may have had questions upon arrival, the busyness offinding a seat and settling in may have prevented them fromasking. By making ourselves available to answer questions aspeople leave, we can ensure that guests feel supported andinformed. By taking the time to engage with guests duringtheir exit, we not only provide helpful information but alsodemonstrate a genuine interest in their experience and well-being.22

Creating a welcoming space for community events isnecessary for community connection. While the idea ofhosting external events in a our facility might seemintimidating to some, it provides a unique opportunity tobridge gaps and build relationships with the community. Bytaking a thoughtful approach, Temple can transform ourspace into a hub of community engagement. The followingare 3 best practices for hosting external events: Create aWelcoming Atmosphere; Communicate Clearly; Connect toChrist and the Church.Create a Welcoming Atmosphere One of the initial challenges in hosting external events in ourfacility is the potential intimidation factor that somecommunity members may experience. To overcome this, it iscrucial to involve greeters and volunteers specificallydedicated to external events. These individuals play a keyrole in making attendees feel welcome and addressing anyconcerns they may have. Their warm smiles and friendlydemeanor help create a positive atmosphere from themoment guests arrive. We also prepare the space as wewould for our own gatherings, making sure our guests knowwe’ve been expecting them.External Events23

Communicate Clearly Having volunteers at our external events is important forhelping our guests navigate the campus. Proper signage is afundamental aspect of hosting external events in a churchfacility. It is essential not to assume that attendees arefamiliar with the layout or the customs of the church. Clearand informative signage should guide guests to eventspaces, restrooms, and other relevant areas. This simplemeasure can alleviate anxiety and ensure a smooth andenjoyable experience for all attendees. Connect to Christ and the Church While hosting external events presents an excellentopportunity for us to promote the church, it is important toapproach this aspect with sensitivity and balance. Yes, it'sessential to showcase the church's mission, values, andcommunity involvement. Still, the primary focus shouldalways be on pointing attendees toward Christ. We thenconnect attendees to the church by including church staff onthe agenda with a welcome and prayer. 24

We want to make a good first impression, but a great lastingimpression is our hope. Our desire is for every guest to feelseen, valued, and loved when they walk through our doors.We aspire to be a community where the love of God istangible, where people are embraced just as they are, andwhere lives are transformed by the power of grace.As we prepare for our guests and expect them each week,the culture of our church becomes a warm and welcomingculture. We display the heart of God to all who gather and we live out our mission of “Equipping every generation toleverage their influence and lead others to Christ.”Let us be known for our genuine love and care for oneanother. May Temple Baptist Church be a place where thehurting find healing, the lonely find belonging, and the lostfind a home. As we live out our tagline, "Love God. LovePeople. Serve Both.," let it not be just words but a livedreality that leaves a lasting impression on all who gatherwith us.We don’t just hope guests show up each week, we expectthem to.A Great Lasting Impression25

tbclife.net