Igniting Ministry | Welcoming

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Igniting Ministry
810 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-4744

P.O. Box 320
Nashville, TN 37202-0320

Phone: 877-281-6535
Fax: 615-742-5777
im@umcom.org

House warmers - Extend welcoming beyond ushers and greeters. Station "house warmers" -- people who meet the others in the aisles and pews as they prepare for worship. They offer conversation and introductions to help everyone feel at home in the worship area.
Community Worship Services - Plan special worship services during the month to reach out to others in the community. Consider structuring services around issues and themes that are important to your community. Announce the events with door hangers, invitations and perhaps even personal letters to the community.
Diversity - If your congregation is ethnically diverse, celebrate that gift! Invite members to dress in native attire, to pray in their own languages, to introduce songs or hymns from their native countries, or to educate the congregation about their homelands' religious traditions.
Eight Out of Four - For small-group activity, have your welcoming team organize nights out for groups of eight people, including at least two newcomers. Designate hosts to choose the first activity (dinner, sporting event, concert). Invite sign-ups and ensure that newcomers are included. Each group goes out four times; rotate hosting duties and activity choice among members.
Saturday Night Live - Stage a comedy dinner show, using church talent. Include a tour of the facilities and make sure each newcomer is introduced to at least five other people.
Greet and Meet - Plan social opportunities (for example, a "Church Cafe" between Sunday School and worship with refreshments and a host/hostess to introduce newcomers to members). Offer tours of the facilities and allow teachers to give a quick description of classes and study material.
Serve the Servants - Invite and recognize volunteers from the community (police officers, hospital workers, firefighters, etc.) and their families. Alert your newspaper of your recognition of these special people.
Education Sunday - Honor public- and private-school teachers, administrators, bus drivers and other school employees, along with your church's daycare staff and teachers, and their families during a worship service.
Carnival/Craft Fairs - Include church information and an informed greeter during fall fairs, carnivals and garage sales to which the community is invited. Promote your church's outreach activities, introduce new ones and provide newcomers with opportunities to get involved.
Community Events - Host community events such as charity runs, parade floats or festival booth.
Parents' Night Out - Ask the youth to host (with adult supervision) child-care evenings at the church.
Sporting Events - Consider volleyball and golf tournaments or churchwide bowling night and invite friends to join a team. Serve refreshments at the church.
Support Groups - Attract both members and non-members by hosting a support group led by professionals donating their services. Consider including a social hour.
Artisan Day - Display the works of artists (woodworkers, sculptors, craftspersons) in the foyer/vestibule or invite the public to view members' collections of dolls, quilts, written works, trains, etc., and meet the congregation. Provide information about the church and tour of the facilities.
Welcoming Weekends - Invite guests and/or newcomers to a Friday-night free dinner, contemporary musical concern and introductions (don't forget name badges). Begin Saturday with breakfast and a mini-Bible study and conduct theme-specific discussion groups, special children's sessions, a picnic lunch with a storyteller; arrange for a devotional and special music. Have members agree to pick up guests and bring them to Sunday's worship service and introduce them during the service.