How to be a Welcoming Church from a Visitor's Point of View
I have often heard that visitors feel that NPC does a good job at being a warm and welcoming congregation. As the Holidays approach and worship becomes more crowded here are some suggestions for making visitors and new attenders feel even more at home among us:
∙ If you are able-bodied and are ‘on time”, please park farthest away from the sanctuary so that visitors can find a space more easily.
∙ As you enter the church, be sensitive to people and quickly assess if they need help with directions to the Church School rooms, coat racks, restrooms and the sanctuary.
∙ Smile and greet those who enter your pew.
∙ Sit in the middle of the pew so that others can fill in on the ends.
∙ Offer your hymnal to those who may arrive late.
∙ Sign in both your name and address in the Friendship pad so that visitors do this also. This will facilitate follow-up to them with a note or a phone call.
∙ Read the names of those worshipping around you and greet them by name at the end of the service. Ask if they have any questions about the church.
∙ Ask them to come downstairs for coffee and introduce them to others.
∙ Look for people who seem to be on the fringe In Horton Hall and introduce yourself to them.
∙ Think about the first time you stepped into NPC and how you wanted to be welcomed.
“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2
Robin Peck, Noroton Presbyterian Church
Director of Equipping and Evangelism
