Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett, Executive Director of New Faith Communities, and Rev. Hope Ledbetter-Bock, Associate Director of New Faith Communities and Clergy Life, led the learning lab on “Engaging and Welcoming New People.” It was grounded in Matthew 25, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” and Hebrews 13, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Bearing in mind that “Being friendly and co-creating a culture of welcome is not the same thing,” the presenters described a culture of welcome in three phases.
Pre-visit Hospitality
Rev. Ledbetter-Bock reminded attendees that many people decide whether to return to a church within the first 2-7 minutes of arrival. She also reminded attendees that the church’s website and online presence really matter because that’s how visitors tend to find the church (even before that first 2 minutes of being present). Attendees conducted a “website audit” of each other’s websites, viewing them through the lens of a typical visitor to that church. Can they find when the services are? How to connect? What about kids and young families? Is it just informational, or is it also invitational? Attendees were reminded that visitors often connect first through online worship or other groups.
Worship Hospitality
Attendees learned that it’s important to view the worship experience through the eyes of a stranger unfamiliar with your church’s practices, and that the visitor is the one taking the risk to enter the church’s “safe space.” From simple things like making sure visitors can find the church (and the door to the church), to instructions on how to take communion or making sure new folks feel welcome to attend the church potluck, many practical considerations were lifted up. Every church should expect visitors and plan for them every Sunday.
Connecting Visitors
Many churches are ready with a handshake on Sunday morning. It’s a bit harder to take a visitor to the next steps from visiting to belonging. Rev. Ledbetter-Bock shared a strategy for a church to plan events with varying levels of engagement.
- Show up event, such as Christmas Eve
- Drop in event designed to learn more, such as coffee with the pastor/leaders
- Hang out event designed to meet people, such as game night
- Stay awhile event, such as a small group
It may require some planning ahead, but it will answer the questions of “How do I connect?” and “What’s next?”
The “Connecting Visitors” piece spoke most powerfully to Chris Calloway, Lay Member from Carrboro UMC. “I think we’re pretty good on Sunday morning, but this will give us some ideas for helping people stay, and not fall through the gaps.”
As Rev. Dr. Catlett put it, “Hospitality is not a growth strategy….Hospitality is inherent in who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. We live in a lonely world, and the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ is what our churches have to offer to address and heal that.”
Article written by Mandy Sayers
Photos by Suzanne Cobb