You are Jesus Christ as He Lives in Your Church

To the visitor, you are Jesus Christ as he lives in your church. In the church more than anywhere else, how you treat a visitor will show him what Jesus is like. At work or at a store you may be kind to a person, but it will not translate as directly to that person that you represent Jesus. But in the church every action will show what Jesus is like. Show him or her what Jesus is like by your personal interest and kindness to them.

Asking for the Name is a Compliment

To ask someone for their name is a compliment. It doesn't matter if it is the first time you have met them. It doesn't matter if you feel you should already know their name. In each case you are showing they are important to you. Compliment people by asking for their name.

Spontaneous Growth

Spontaneous combustion occurs certain conditions come together to ignite a material. Spontaneous growth occurs in churches when visitors are warmly welcomed and make new friends. If they feel wanted and accepted they will spontaneously tell their friends about the nice church they visited. They will begin to invite those people to join them at their new church. Start a fire in your church by reaching out to the new people.

You Can Be the Deciding Factor

The one common denominator people are looking for in a church is friendliness. Your personal friendship may be the major reason they chose your church. The outcome can be in your hands. Go out of your way to make them feel at home.

It Works if...

At the end of each Seminar I ask the audience to fill out a Comment Card. This was one comment: "Very informative. Well done presentation. I saw through your enthusiasm that, It works, if you work it."

Log the Names of Those You Meet

"Hi my name is Laurie. My grandpa was a Presbyterian minister in Pittsbough, PA. As a little kid I always wondered how he remembered everyone's name -in church, in the grocery store or on the streetcar. After he died, at the age of 96, I found out he had 30 volumes of little diaries of little descriptions and names of the people he met. I know everyday he lived for Christ. Thanks, Rich, for giving me the tips of how I can follow in his footsteps."

Be Humble not Proud

Th Lord accomplishes more from the humble than the proud. Put aside your pride -focus on the friendship needs of visitors and introduce yourself to them. If you fulfill their friendship needs, it will fulfill your friendship needs.

Importance of Remembering their Name

People are really amazed when you think enough of them to remember their name. It shows them that you feel they are significant. It makes them feel important. In return, it makes you important in their life. You want this because you have someone important in your life to show them - Jesus.

It Doesn't Take a Committee

It doesn't take a committee to make a difference for the kingdom. It can take only one person. One person reaching out to a visitor can be the determining factor of the visitor returning to your church and hearing the gospel once again. Be that one person every Sunday.

Greeting is More than a Function

In many churches, greeting is only thought of as a function. It is more than a function. It is a ministry. It is a ministry that has a spiritual purpose, a designed method and an intended end of helping people to come to know Jesus. When volunteers understand greeting as a ministry, they are more dedicated to it and fulfilled in it.

You are Jesus Christ

To the new person, you are Jesus Christ as He lives in your church. If the visitor comes in and you are weak or preoccupied, the visitor thinks, "Jesus doesn't make much of a difference here. I get a better greeting at Walmart." But if you are open and friendly, they think, "Jesus makes a difference with these people. I'm going to stay around and see why they are different."

Last Cookie? No

Greeting is often looked upon as the last cookie on the plate. It is perceived, "When a couple has done every other job they are capable of in the church and are no longer busy, then maybe they would serve as part time greeters." But the truth is: greeting is one of the most important positions in the church. As a greeter you are the front line for the acceptance and growth of the church.

The Role of the Church Regular

The visitor is fertile soil for the gospel. But it is the role of the regular to be the gardeners of this fertile soil. This is seldom taught in churches. Too often we are just interested in our friends at church. But our more important role is to get to know the new people and introduce them to other people and programs in the church.

Repetion is Important. Repetion is Important.

For many people, meeting a new person is a struggle. That is why we don't do it often enough. But the more you do it, the easier and more natural it becomes. And the more natural it becomes, the more at ease the new person feels in your presence. Don't let up! Meet new people every week.

Invite Past Members

On occasion you will have former members who previously had moved away return for a visit. Invite them to greet with you. The current people will love to see them again. It will be a rejoicing time for all at the greeter station.

Your Visitor is Your Biggest Advertiser

Your visitor is like a movie-goer. When a movie-goer leaves the theater, in the next week he will tell 5-10 people about the movie he saw. So it is with your visitor. He will automatically tell 5-10 of his friends about your church. What he says will either promote you or punish you depending on how friendly you have been. Make it a good report because of your friendliness.

Avoid Rotating

Avoid rotating your greeters from one position to another. People want stability and predictability even in church. Keep the same greeters in the same positions. Then your people will anticipate with delight meeting that person every week, especially if they are greeted by name.