Random Thoughts on Hospitality

What is a welcome gift and at what point do you present it to a visitor? What is the intended purpose of the gift? Is it to introduce visitors to your church and facility or simply to acknowledge the visitors’ presence?

What kinds of items are included? A floorplan of the facility is immensely useful if given before the service but less so if the visitor is on their way out the door. Information on the church’s beliefs and programs, missions supported, contact list for questions are all helpful means for a visitor to determine their level of interest.

Do you put things in your welcome bag that are inconvenient for the visitor to hold during the service such as bulky, breakable cups or glasses? Gauging the visitor is helpful: if they have children in tow, perhaps offer a coloring packet.

Is the preacher identified? Is there a coffee/snack time to which the visitor can be invited? This can be a valuable opportunity for both the church and the visitor.

Other gifts that can be marks of hospitality are homemade breads that can be kept in the fridge or frozen till needed. A personal note on the item and dietary concerns related to ingredients is a very good idea. I’ve never had anyone turn down homemade…I loved to send soup home with a visitor who couldn’t stay for lunch. If there is a deli-type lunch area, free tickets or free coffee are hospitable.

Most visitors don’t like the spotlight but are usually open to being greeted. Pass the word, just not from the pulpit. I’d suggest you say “We welcome our visitors,” no matter how obvious their identity may be, without putting them on the spot.