It’s the one thing all churches can do to reach more people, but it’s one thing most churches give little attention.
Most churches can take five simple steps to create and/or improve their greeters’ ministry and potentially see dramatic results. Let me give you a simple example of the potential impact.
A church of 200 in worship attendance may get 150 first-time guests in a year. Can you imagine the transformation that would take place if one-half of those guests connected with the church and became a part of the congregation? The church of 200 in attendance would become a church of 275 in attendance – in one year!
In our surveys of first-time guests, we hear repeatedly that one of the keys that caused them to return was a friendly first impression. Like it or not, it’s often a make or break issue for the guest.
So how can you be certain that your greeters are doing everything possible to provide an incredible first-time impression? Here are five “best practices” where churches have dynamic greeter ministries, and where the return rate of guests is high.
- Train your greeters. Most church greeters have had no training, and it is often painfully obvious. The simple process of training makes a dramatic difference in this ministry. Here is a link to the training we provide at LifeWay.
- Create alternating teams of greeters. I recommend greeters serve in their place of ministry every other month. The rotation helps them keep a fresh perspective and avoid burnout. Of course, a greeter in the “off” cycle can fill in for another greeter when needed.
- Treat the ministry as a major ministry of the church. In some churches, the greeters’ ministry has second-class status. Those churches that are highly effective in retaining first-time guests understand the importance of this ministry. The leaders recruit highly-competent and highly-motivated church members for it.
- Make visits to other churches a regular part of the greeters’ training. I recommend greeters attend a different church about once a quarter. They should write down their experiences, good and bad, to share with others in the greeters’ ministry.
- Have quarterly greeters’ meetings. The primary purpose of this meeting is to hear about the visits to other churches. It is not a meeting just for the sake of meeting.
I am asked regularly about the most effective ways to reach people in churches. Most churches have not made a significant commitment in training and resourcing greeters. That one simple but significant step could make a huge difference in the numbers reached for the gospel each year.
Share with me what you have learned about greeters’ ministries, good or bad. What do you think of the five keys I named? What would you add?
Posted on July 29, 2015
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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67 Comments
It seems greeters can easily become members talking to each other, and losing an opportunity to truly connect.
As far as training, it is frustrating when greeters can not answer basic questions. Such as, where’s the nursery, where are the Sunday school classes for a certain age group, etc.. A thorough knowledge of these should be required.
Great job, Thom, as always.
As transplants to a new city, we have become professional visitors over the past few months. Having been the “visitors’ police” at my former church, I confess to being hospitality-minded so this is my playing field. To be honest, I’ve been shocked at the lack of friendliness in many churches. Visitors are, right or wrong, assessing the church as to whether or not they “fit in” or see the potential to connect and make friends. I would suggest, however, that it’s not the greeters that are evaluated as much as the congregation itself. Personalities differ but a gesture as simple as a friendly smile and handshake can go a long way. Most churches have a time of greeting and many pastors encourage congregants to “find someone you don’t know and shake their hand”. Do that!!! If someone raised their hand or otherwise identified himself as a visitor, he should have to fight off a crowd of people trying to greet him. Visiting churches has been very eye-opening for us. We’ve been in church all our lives so we know church families can be very warm & welcoming, but it has really given me insight into how an unchurched person would feel in the unfriendly church. In many cases, if that visit had been my first exposure to church, it would’ve probably been my last. If a visitor is made to feel as an outsider to a club, we may never get a 2nd opportunity to reach him. It starts at the front door, yes, but the most important piece of the puzzle is the friendliness of the people in the pew.
I had the chance to do some research on what churches were like near here before I moved because it took so long to sell my old home. I went to a Christmas special at one and despite the best efforts of the minister’s wife I felt somewhat out of place.
The following year I went to a different church in the area on Christmas Day. I had not been there before and it was even an adventure finding it. One reason why I like to see a picture of a church and directions or a map on a church website. Remember a website can be an electronic greeter.
I knew no one but by the time I left I was in no doubt that when I landed in the area a few days later that that would be my new church home. It was not just the greeter but everyone was so friendly and welcoming that I knew that it was the place for me.
Thanx for the work. It is true you feel small and disappointed stepping in a church were there is unqualified greeters, even in our homes it shows a lack of discipline.
I’m so glad you posted this. I consistently refuse to receive a bulletin from one of our greeters until he smiles at me. I just stand there until this old guy cracks a smile. Now he knows that if he doesn’t have to smile at anyone else he does have to smile at me or there will be a back log of folks trying to get into the sanctuary. You’re right. First impressions are huge and I need more than a piece of paper from these people.
Some people look, act like they had a fight before coming to church.
If they’re that miserable please get counseling and let Jesus into your life !
Is it sad that we have to train people to smile and be hospitable ?
To welcome new faces at the door and show them where things are with a friendly welcome ?
@Mary Ellen:
Yours are some of the finest observations I have ever read on this blog. Thank you for sharing your insights into the fact that greeters are often the first face of Jesus that visitors will see.
I agree, Ron.
The suggestion to visit other churches caught me by surprise, but as I think about it, this is brilliant! Maybe having a list or checklist of observations/questions to prep the greeters would be effective. Hospitality is a passion of mine. The picture that comes to my mind is that Jesus is waiting with bated breath for each heart to walk through the door to meet with him. He is waiting to bear burdens, to heal broken hearts, to equip the saints for each encounter they will face in the coming week. Greeters are the frontline of hospitality, the first face of this Jesus a person will encounter. This encounter will begin to prepare the heart of each person to receive from Him. Love your blog.
We provided a “mystery guest” check list, Mary Ellen. And thanks for the affirmation.
Do you still have the “Mystery guest” check list? If so, email me at [email protected].
I would love a copy of the Mystery guest check list also.
[email protected] Thanking you in advance Karen Larson Northshore Church Slidell, Louisiana
In will also like ti be sent a copy of “Mystery Guest Check List
Can I have a copy as well?
[email protected]
Can I get a copy as well please
Can I get a copy as well?? [email protected]
I would also love a “mystery guest” checklist.
[email protected]
me too!
[email protected]
me too!
[email protected]
I love that a blog post from 4 years ago is still getting hits!
I lead our FIT (First Impression Team) and would love the check list as well [email protected]
@Maryellen I hope you don’t mind but I’ve literally cut and paste your quote and will be using it at a thank you open house for our greeters next week. It speaks directly to what I wanted to thank them & encourage them in
I would like a copy. Please and thank you.
Could I also get a copy of the mystery guest check list!
Thanks in advance!!!
Are the greeter training videos from Lifeway the same as those on ministry grid?
Yes.
Can I view one of the leader training videos? It’d be very helpful as I’m developing a live training for my greeting team and I’m curious what content you guys cover.
Thanks!
We’ve just moved to another state. Of course we’ve been looking for a church home. We are former NAMB missionaries and I am an ordained gospel evangelist. So we ARE “broken in.” At least three churches we have visited were so unfriendly, we will not go back. Obviously, the greeters had no training, and if they accidentally smiled their faces would have broken. I am so disappointed. Not only the greeters need training, but also the entire church.
You are right, Van.
This area can make or break it with visitors.
At a previous church we had husband, wife teams that rotated.
Currently we utilize the oldest gentlemen in church who can still stand some of whom can barely open a door. These dear gents need to feel needed and we keep a current usher nearby. It is often a neglected area. I have visited churches with no greeter or usher. That is a problem.
You on are on target, Russ b
Tom,
1. I believe the attire of the greeters also sets a tone for the formality or informality of the church.
2. The age of the greeters can also give an impression of whether this is an older congregation or a mixture of ages.
3. I have also found that having a team of male and female greeters at the door creates a more welcoming atmosphere.
Great points, Jerry. Thank you.