The following is a list of ways congregations, and more specifically you as a member of Croham, can love any and all who walk through our doors. This list is adapted from the book Now Go Forward by J. David Eschelman. Why not treat yourself to a copy for Christmas? Only 92p on the Kindle! (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-Go-Forward-Reaching-Congregation-ebook/dp/B003C1QQ48/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8). It says in the book “Loving unbelievers the way Jesus did is the most overlooked key to growing a church…The command to love is the most repeated command in the NT, appearing at least 55 times.”
1.) Every church member is a host and not a guest. Making visitors feel welcome is primarily the responsibility of members, not the nebulous “church.”
2.) The most important person for a visitor to talk to in order to feel at home in a new church is you. It is not the Minister, Community Pastor, Student Pastor, welcome team or Elders but a regular attender. Eshleman says “One of the most impressive gestures we can extend to first time visitors is for people with no official position to take the initiative and welcome them.”
3.) Treat first time visitors as guests of God, not strangers.
4.) Smile at everyone and offer your hand.
5.)Look people in the eye and smile.
6.) Take the initiative, don’t wait for visitors to initiate conversation with you.
7.) Learn people’s names and remember them.
8.) Use [only] appropriate and allowed Touch such as a hand shake or a gentle pat on the back.
9.)Ask questions and learn about our guests. It is better to express interest in them than it is to try to “sell” Croham as a church.
10.) Invite visitors to join you at something, anything! Invite them to ‘Its a Man’s life’, your Home Group, Tuesday Chat, a Toddler group…
11.) Listening is a very effective way to show love.
12.) Never let new people sit alone. Eschelman says, “New people should never have to sit alone. Take initiative and go to them without delay.”
13.) Help visitors find seating that suits their family’s needs.
14.) Greet children at their level.
15.) Let children be children. Yes, families love children’s church and child care. Families also love it when you allow them to decide if their children should remain with them in the service. And even more, when you love their kids as kids (crying, playing, singing!) and don’t expect them to be grown-ups.
16.) Help first time visitors by being their tour guide and helping them find worship resources. Visiting a new church is like a cross-cultural experience, even for those of us who have visited dozens of other churches
17.)Invite people to fill out your church’s visitor registration card (AKA ‘Connect Card’).
18.) Tell people you’re glad they are here.
19.)Pray for them throughout your week.
20.) Be yourself! You are loving! You have a good thing going! You have the capacity to love more people, and to love more deeply. Eschelman says, “Practice making people feel special, and what you give to others will be returned to you.”
Tim Allen (Community Pastor)