Being a greeter, or a host and hostess as some churches call them, involves more than just standing at the door and shaking people’s hands as they enter the church. It is a ministry.
First Corinthians 12:28 calls it the ministry of helps. You are helping the pastors fulfill the vision God has given them by making those who come through the doors of the church feel at home.
You help people feel joy. You help people feel love. You help people feel needed. You help people feel wanted. You help people feel sincerity. You help people feel important. You help people feel peace and comfort. You help people feel, most of all, welcomed.
Greet the Visitors
As a greeter in your church it is your primary responsibility to let visitors know they are welcome. As a visitor, they are a guest of your church. When they pass through the church doors, it is your responsibility to see that they are served and that their needs and concerns are met. It is your responsibility to see that they are comfortable and treated hospitably.
“But how do you know if someone is a visitor?” That is what I asked the Holy Spirit one day. Do you know what He said? He said, “Visitors aren’t hard to spot. Ninety-nine percent of them will step into the building, take six or seven steps, then stop to look around.”
So, when you see someone go through this routine, you can feel confident in walking over to them and saying, “I bet you’re a visitor, aren’t you?” Of course, they will say something like, “Well, how did you know?” Then you tell them, “Well, I’ve been doing this for years,” and smile.
Then, you can take them by the arm and show them around the building. While you are walking with them down the hall, you can carry on a conversation with them about the church and tell them about what God is doing in the church.
Tell them stories about how the church began. Such as how the pastor was in his bedroom when God woke him up in the middle of the night and told him, “I’m going to make you a pastor, and I’m going to send you to Springfield, Missouri. I’m going to raise up a great work there, and I’m going to send people from everywhere – north, south, east and west to become a part of the vision I have given to you.”
As you walk along give them an opportunity to talk about themselves and their family. Listen carefully to all they say. If you ask them a question, make sure it isn’t imposing. In doing this, you will help them feel valued.
Another way to locate visitors is to scan the back of the church just before the service begins. If you see a mother standing up with a baby in her arms, she is most probably a visitor. So, walk over to her, and let her know that you are a greeter at the church.
Talk with her a little while to put her at ease then tell her about the nursery that is available and encourage her to take her child there. Hopefully, by then, she will feel comfortable enough to follow you to the nursery and leave her baby in the care of the nursery workers, so that she can enjoy the service.
At the end of the service, pay close attention, if they announce the visitors or have them stand up. If you see someone stand up who slipped through the door that you didn’t know was a first time visitor, then make it a point to go up to that person after the service is over and tell them how good it was to have them here. Ask them if they have any questions then answer them as best you can.
By doing this, you will make them feel at home, and they will want to come back the next week.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
"A Pastor's Friend" Since 1977, Dr. Buddy Bell has been serving pastors and families in the local church. Because of his faithfulness and commitment to serve, God has anointed him to teach on the Ministry of Helps.
In 1986, he founded Ministry of Helps International, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he serves as president. His insights into the much-needed message of the Ministry of Helps have enabled countless people to find and fulfill their place in the Body of Christ. In June of 2006, Dr. George Walters, president of Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College in Tampa, Florida, and its Board of Directors, presented Dr. Buddy Bell with an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Bell is also an international teacher, trainer of champions, and a successful author, with the books The Ministry of Helps Handbook, revealing how to be totally effective serving in the Ministry of Helps; Ushering 101, which is the most complete manual available for ushers today; and Greeting 101, giving easy steps to greeting in the local church. In addition, he has produced Usher Training System 101, Development of Local Church Membership, Development of Local Church Leadership, and 20 teaching DVD's. More than 10,000 churches worldwide are utilizing these materials. Dr. Bell has traveled to over 3,000 churches, teaching and helping church staff and congregations work together with far greater effectiveness. With humor, zeal, and an anointing from God to present the Ministry of Helps, he motivates people by awakening them to the power and plan of the Holy Spirit for accomplishing the work of the ministry through every believer.