Most churches rate friendliness as one of their greatest strengths, but is that true in reality? Welcoming guest in the assembly requires strategic planning and careful coordination. Every participant in the worship service has a key role to fulfill. The welcoming process has only begun when door greeters carry out their responsibilities.

The Tenth and Broad Church has successfully implemented the following process for making guests feel at ease in our assemblies:

(1) The pulpit minister initiates the worship service with an upbeat greeting. During his opening remarks guests are asked to fill out a "Guest Registration Card." The pulpit minister emphasizes that these individuals will not be singled out in any manner. In his greeting the term "visitor" is never used. These cards are designed for the prospective member to communicate needs and interests to the church.

(2) A group of special greeters then meet in the foyer to collect the guest registration cards. Every guest registration card is coded on the back and placed in the songbook rack in the pews according to where that person is sitting. Cards are coded according to section and row number like a theater ticket.

These greeters identify the exact location of the guest in the auditorium, and make plans to personally welcome them immediately following the conclusion of the worship service.

(3) Many of these special greeters are prepared to invite their "adopted guest" to their home for Sunday dinner, or take them to a popular restaurant.

Several factors should be considered before implementing this type of effort. Greeters fulfilling this role should be in the same age range as most of your guests. They should also be well-informed about the programs your church is offering. Be sure to recruit volunteers who have the gift of hospitality. Monitor the number of prospective members who visit your services, so you can place a sufficient number of greeters in this role. Someone should be designated to stock the coded registration cards on a weekly basis. And someone should schedule an adequate number of volunteers to cover every worship assembly.

This method of greeting prospective members is very effective for several reasons. It provides an organized way to identify visitors in a large assembly. It keeps well-intentioned members from greeting only their friends who sit in the same area of the auditorium. Guests are given the personal attention that helps them feel comfortable. As a rule, other members will identify one of the special greeters engaged in conversation and join in the effort as well. This type of greeting effort is a key dimension of successfully welcoming the guests who walk through our doors every Sunday.

A well-organized greeting team will help your church live up to its friendly reputation. Guests will depart from your building with a positive impression of the church in your community.