Dear Church,

First I would like to say, Greeting Team, we love you. Thank you for faithfulness in showing up early and greeting people with a smile, good handshakes and a program. The work you do may not seem like much, but it’s more than you can imagine. This seemingly “little act of service” has an important part to play in someone’s first impressions of our church as a whole. And this may seem obvious but we want people to feel loved when they come to church. And as an “Image Bearer” of Christ you are the first to express the Lord’s warm smile, kindness and accepting embrace. You are the first ones to communicate, “We see you.” And “We are glad you are here, just as you are.” Thank you for all you do, greeting team.

Now, for the rest of us, there is a real danger of falling asleep in a very important role we have to play on Sunday mornings. Yes, there’s the greeting team at the front doors, but YOU are also on that team. Dare I say it?! “We’re all in this together!” Cliche much? I sure do! You and I are also on the greeting team, did you know that? For the newcomer it’s gonna take more than just the people passing out the programs to make them feel welcome and loved. When you walk through the lobby, when you get seated, remember to open your eyes and be looking out for that new person. Look out for the person sitting alone. Look out for the family coming in late to church and sitting in the back. They could slip in and slip out without anyone connecting with them. It’s too easy to walk in and out of church without being noticed, so let's work together to make sure the newcomer is seen and loved even if it’s just for one Sunday.

Ideas for Connecting

Say, “Hi”: Swallow your pride and be the first to introduce yourself. Even if you make a fool of yourself and it turns out that that person has been going to your church for 10 + years! Doesn’t matter! Make that first step. Don’t assume someone else will do it.

Offer to Help: Show them where to find the nursery, the information table, the coffee and then the bathrooms (because we all know what happens when you have that morning cup of coffee).

Make Introductions: Introduce them to your friends so they have another connection and a familiar face to know if they come again.

Sit Together: Invite them to sit with you. This is such a kind gesture and it means so much to not sit alone in a new place and new experience. If you typically sit in the same area, tell them “If you come back next week, you can find us here. This is the area we typically sit in if we miss you in the lobby.”

Follow Up: Invite them to get lunch with you and your friends after church or attend your bible study later that week. Offer another way to connect with them besides just Sunday.

Exchange Info: Don’t wait to pass on your cell or your email address. It’s a bold move and you may never hear from them again but the gesture is what matters most. Sharing your contact information expresses you desire to stay connected even after the service is over.

Let’s go team!

- Sarah Martin