Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

10 Commandments for a Guest-Friendly Church
by Tom Goodman
October 15, 2014

One of the biggest compliments I get from our guests is how welcome you made them feel. Let's keep it up by following these Ten Commandments of "guest-friendly" churches. I found this list from a post by Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway.

Thou shalt pray for people in the services whom you don't recognize. They are likely guests who feel uncomfortable and uncertain.
Thou shalt smile. Guests feel welcome when they see smiling people. (You can resume your somber expressions when you get home.)
Thou shalt not sit on the ends of the rows. Move to the middle so guests don't have to walk over you. You'll survive in your new precarious position.
Thou shalt not fill up the back rows first. Move to the front so guests don't have to walk in front of everyone if they get there late.
Thou shalt have ushers to help seat the guests. Ushers should have clearly marked badges or shirts so that the guests know who can help them.
Thou shalt offer assistance to guests. If someone looks like they don't know where to go, then they probably don't know where to go. Get out of your comfort zone and ask them if you can help.
Thou shalt not gather too long in your holy huddles. Sure, it's OK to talk to fellow members; but don't stay there so long that you are not speaking to guests.
Thou shalt offer your seats to guests. That family of four can't fit in the three vacant seats next to you. Give it a try. You might actually feel good about your efforts.
Thou shalt not save seats. I know you want to have room for all of your friends and family, but do you know how a guest feels when he or she sees the vacant seats next to you occupied by three hymnals, one Bible, two coats, and an umbrella? You might as well put a "Do Not Trespass" sign on the seats.
Thou shalt greet someone you don't know. Yes, it's risky. They may actually be members you don't know. And you may get caught in a 45-second conversation. You'll be OK; I promise.

He's got some good suggestions for us there. Keep up the good work of welcoming our guests!

--Tom

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10 Commandments for a Guest-Friendly Church by Tom Goodman October 15, 2014 One of the biggest compliments I get from our guests is how welcome you made them feel. Let's keep it up by following these Ten Commandments of "guest-friendly" churches. I found this list from a post by Thom Rainer, president of Lifeway. Thou shalt pray for people in the services whom you don't recognize. They are likely guests who feel uncomfortable and uncertain. Thou shalt smile. Guests feel welcome when they see smiling people. (You can resume your somber expressions when you get home.) Thou shalt not sit on the ends of the rows. Move to the middle so guests don't have to walk over you. You'll survive in your new precarious position. Thou shalt not fill up the back rows first. Move to the front so guests don't have to walk in front of everyone if they get there late. Thou shalt have ushers to help seat the guests. Ushers should have clearly marked badges or shirts so that the guests know who can help them. Thou shalt offer assistance to guests. If someone looks like they don't know where to go, then they probably don't know where to go. Get out of your comfort zone and ask them if you can help. Thou shalt not gather too long in your holy huddles. Sure, it's OK to talk to fellow members; but don't stay there so long that you are not speaking to guests. Thou shalt offer your seats to guests. That family of four can't fit in the three vacant seats next to you. Give it a try. You might actually feel good about your efforts. Thou shalt not save seats. I know you want to have room for all of your friends and family, but do you know how a guest feels when he or she sees the vacant seats next to you occupied by three hymnals, one Bible, two coats, and an umbrella? You might as well put a "Do Not Trespass" sign on the seats. Thou shalt greet someone you don't know. Yes, it's risky. They may actually be members you don't know. And you may get caught in a 45-second conversation. You'll be OK; I promise. He's got some good suggestions for us there. Keep up the good work of welcoming our guests! --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.