This is the final part of this mini-series, and I hope you’ll find it important. It’s not rocket science, but it can be helpful.
If you’re serving in any area of our Greeting Ministry, you are doing a great service to both members and guests. Never underestimate your value to the overall ministry of the church. Whether you’re opening the door for someone, serving guests at the Welcome Center, guiding a parent to the preschool area, or joyfully providing a bulletin to a member; it is all important. Thank you!
My final word of encouragement is this: Keep your eyes open.
Keep your eyes open to the environment around you.
In the rush to get things done, it can be easy to overlook napkins, cups, or other trash that may have been left on or around the campus. This is true both inside and outside the building. Since cleanliness is one of the issues that impact a guest’s impression of the church, it’s important for every member and especially those serving in any area of greeting to be aware of litter or clutter. Beyond this, if there are issues with carpet, tile, paint, etc., bring those issues to the attention of the staff or chairperson of the appropriate team. And many churches have display racks for brochures or other literature. If you notice empty displays, pass that information along to the responsible person.
Keep your eyes open for new faces.
We have mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating that guests often feel a little awkward or out of place when they come to a new church. If you don’t recognize the face, the person is likely a guest. Give them a bit of extra attention, and help them connect with others.
Keep your eyes open for confused looks.
If you notice someone who seems to be looking around for someone or something, take the initiate to help them or ask someone to do so. They may have been invited by someone and are trying to find them, or they may be wondering where a certain small group meets. Asking “How may I help you?” shows you care.
Keep your eyes open for suspicious or unusual behavior.
It’s a sad truth, but it is true nonetheless – the church is not immune to violent acts. Our church has taken steps to form a trained security team who maintains an alert presence before, during, and after our services, but they cannot do it alone. If you’re serving in our greeting ministry (or present while not actively serving), pay attention to anyone acting suspiciously, anyone that seems overly agitated, anyone who appears to be in distress, or anyone acting recklessly. If your church has a security team or security personnel, inform them immediately of any suspicious or unusual behaviors you notice. If your church does not have an active security plan, ask your church leadership to begin planning to establish one.
I hope that some of the comments and observations on a church’s welcoming ministry have been helpful. And, once again, a huge Thank You to all of you who serve in any aspect of the greeting and welcoming ministry of your church.
Be Transformed 