5 Ways to Provide a Warm Welcome to Parkside Church
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:34)
With start of a new year, many people make a resolution to attend church more often, and it’s very likely that new people--whether they are new to church, or new to Parkside--are visiting our church. It’s a great time to remember to practice the hospitality that we as a church are called to do. Here are some quick tips to help break the ice:
- Introduce yourself to someone new. They might be new to Parkside, or just new to you. It can be as simple as saying, “Hi, I don’t think I’ve met you yet. My name is…”
- Sit in a different spot every so often. Sitting in the same place at church might be part of your Sunday routine, but consider changing it up once in awhile in order to meet new people.
- Engage the people you introduced yourself to in conversation after the service. We’re often encouraged at the beginning of service to greet someone, but reinforcing that initial welcome with a quick follow-up at the end of service can make a lasting impression.
- Share a cup of coffee or a meal with someone. Are you getting coffee or lunch with friends? Consider inviting someone new from church to join you.
- Act as a guide. Does someone look lost? Ask if they need help getting somewhere, or suggest a ministry or smaller group gathering that might interest them. Help light the path for where they should go next by directing them to a pastor, an elder, Parkside’s website or social media, or even the cafe and bookstore.
Ours is a busy and bustling church, and it is all too easy to get lost in the crowd. Remembering what it feels like to be the “new person” can help remind us to extend a helping hand, offer a kind smile, and provide a warm welcome to church.
Do you have any tips that you’d like to share? Do you remember what it was like to be new at church? Share your stories with us at insider@parksidechurch.com.
