Systematizing the Ministries of Hospitality

"The First Year"

"The one thing we hope that you will go away with from this workshop this afternoon is the thought that we must address the ministry of hospitality in the Missionary Church as a whole.  Just having great greeters and ushers is not going to get us there.  There are other key pieces that must also be in place.  If we are going to be effective in reaching and incorporating new people, then we must understand the whole process as a system, knowing what the components are, and how they are inter-related...

...Before we begin to talk about Hospitality, we need to be reminded of what the purpose of the Missionary Church is.  To what end is the ministry of hospitality directed?

Perhaps the important thing here to see is that the goal is not fellowship.  The Goal is the making of Disciples and the necessary accompanying transformation of us needed to accommodate those who are not here.  I remind you of Kierkegaard’s comment that “the Church is the only institution in the world that exists solely for the sake of those who do not belong to it.”

The task in the Kingdom can always be summed up in one word: CONVERSION.  Easy to say . . . Tough to do.  But, until we get that straight, we shall always be readjusting the shifting chairs on the deck of the Titanic, thinking we are doing something significant."

This outstanding workshop during the 2003 Annual Council in Seguin, TX was lead by The Rev. Doug Storment and Lisa Seagle from St. Francis' Episcopal Church, San Antonio.

Review the complete text in "The First Year" PowerPoint presentation with presenter notes.  Also included for your review is the handout of Resources Used at St. Francis, San Antonio as part of its Newcomer Incorporation Process.

link to PowerPoint Presentation

link to Handout of Resources Used

A professional video of the St. Francis Workshop was created by The Congregational Development Department, and distributed to all congregations in the Diocese of West Texas.  Contact your church for the copy, or if unavailable contact Congregational Development Department through barbara.duffield@dwtx.org.

Hospitality Self-Exam

  1. Can a stranger in town find the church using the map in the phone book ad?
  2. Do the clergy stand out in front of the church fifteen minutes before the service to greet strangers?
  3. Do the ushers ask the strangers where they want to sit in church and guide them to that place, see that they are seated and that hymnals and prayer books are accessible?
  4. Can a stranger find the restroom without asking directions or wandering around?
  5. Can a stranger park and then see the door to enter from the place they park?
  6. Is the stranger asked by someone, "What can we do to help you in your journey to God today?"
  7. Are there children out in front of the church to greet the children of the strangers?
  8. Do the announcements publicly thank the strangers for being there?
  9. Does someone learn and pronounce the name of each stranger back to them?
  10. Is there a system that records the strangers' names and addresses so that follow-up can be organized, be assured and occur?

The Hospitality Self-Exam is from The Episcopal Network for Stewardship Diagnostic Devices section at www.tens.org.  For more information e-mail Tom Gossen, Executive Director at tom@tens.org or 800/699-2669.

Important Points about Welcoming and
Incorporating New People

By Kevin E. Martin

1. Distinguish between a Visitor and a Potential Member. Congregations should aim at a 50% retention rate for second time attendees. This is true whether the person returns two weeks in a row or twice in six months. A second visit demonstrates serious interest in your congregation.

2. It is more important to worry about how to track and follow up with potential members than how to advertise for first time visitors.

3. Most people decide within 5 minutes of arriving in the parking lot whether or not to return a second time. (Note that most new people are greeted during the peace, usually half way through the service.)

4. Most visitors arrive within five minutes of the advertised starting time. Avoid blocking the doors just before the service with the choir or processional lines.

5. Many churches have learned the wisdom of having the clergy present at the main entry just before the service begins. Most churches still follow the unfortunate practice of having male ushers who also function as the greeters.

6. Just as at home, it is better for you and your members to introduce visitors than for them to have to do it themselves. Avoid making them stand, bright "visitor" tags, and other such gimmicks that only make new people feel uncomfortable.

7. Ask present members who meet a newcomer during the service (at the peace for example) to take responsibility for three acts of hospitality.

  • First, introduce them to at least 3 other members.
  • Second, introduce them to the clergy.
  • Third, get them to the coffee/social time.

8. Place potential members on your mailing list. Invite potential members with a personal first class letter to each new event (this year's Lenten series, for example) and keep inviting them until they tell you they are not interested.

Excerpted from a presentation by Kevin Martin at the Converted Lives Transforming congregations, Province I Stewardship and Evangelism Conference March 28-30, 2003.