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This week my family has been to 2 different new churches. Attending a mid-week service with a family friend was no big deal because they told us what to do and how everything worked. The Sunday service where we showed up not knowing anything was a bit more intimidating for a moment. 

For us it's easier because we are looking to bless leadership and serve. We are not committing to pick a home church because we are just traveling through, but going through this last weekend make me realize how important it is for Christians to have some common ground when welcoming new believers to their church. 

Over the years we've seen welcoming new comers done both really well and really poorly. If you have been to a church more than once then you should know and remember these few ways to help the newbies showing up for the first week. 

1. Be on the lookout:

People will look super confused and be looking around for signs. If you see these people, head over and introduce yourself to see if you can help. Newbies don't know the layout of the church building, how childcare works or where the coffee is and they need your help. Be on the lookout for them.

2. Smile at everyone:

This is applicable on Sundays and at every other church function. Perhaps there is no confusion, but there is the misplaced feeling of not belonging yet and a smile and hello can go a really long way. I'll spare you the stories of women scorned in this area, but it's a thing and we need to smile, even if it's behind a mask and only with your eyes. That's where a simple, "hello" can come in handy too. If you go to a Bible believing church then there is a high probability that the Holy Spirit is going to do some convicting to everyone in the room, but the newbies might feel this is directed at only them.  Just having regular people smile and say, "hi" when they are walking to their seats may really change the feel of the church. We have to be careful as regular church goers to not only be speaking to our own circles thinking the friendly is left to the ushers and greeters. 

3. Train childcare workers to give a 30 second comforting speech:

We are a family of 8 and if we are going to leave our children in childcare it can be quite an ordeal. We basically have to name all the children, spell their names for the gatekeeper and remember all the birthdays to get in the door. We also need to know our children are safe and the workers have been trained and have had their backgrounds checked. Reassuring parents that their children are going to be safe, loved on and get the word of God before they drop them off has to be more important than getting them into the computer. Please teach your childcare workers this. They MUST be in the computer. It's most important for their safety, but make sure parents understand this and feel comfortable. It will make all the difference in whether a family comes back or not. 

4. Be flexible and kind:

Make sure your staff knows all the options and how to deliver unfavorable information in a friendly way that makes people feel they are being served and not bossed around. Some churches don't allow children in the sanctuary...OK, but that is not the right verbiage to tell a new family who is rightfully protective over their children. "Let me show you are most family friendly venue. Follow me." is so much better than, "Oh children aren't allowed in that room, let me show you to childcare." Ask people how they are doing and about themselves if you have to walk them to another venue. Silence can be really uncomfortable in these situations. People are who we serve. Rules are established to prevent chaos, but loving people is the most important thing. Be sensitive to people's newness by giving them the lowdown and quick tour so they can feel like they are welcome and wanted. Again, make sure they know where the bathrooms and coffee are!!

5.Find a way to engage:

All church leaders should be taught to be friendly to people they don't know at church. This is good for both new people and getting regulars plugged into to serving. I can't tell you how many people I've invited to moms groups just from talking to someone while washing my hands or in the nursing moms room.  If you are in leadership at your church then you should be "team church" and as such always looking for ways to serve and make people comfortable in a hospitable way.

The bottom line is whether you care about church growth or not you should care about people enough to want them to feel comfortable. Perhaps you don't feel you have the gift of hospitality or worse you are a hard core introvert. Don't care, Be friendly. Smile. Make sure people are not confused about services, childcare or the church site plan.

 Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Did you know it will only take 20,000 Christians donating $100 each to fund our facilities project?! Be 1 of the 15,920 left to help us achieve our vision!

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This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries. To follow their families journey as they travel check out Little House of the Perrys

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