Congregational Hospitality How to really welcome the stranger

Congregational Hospitality: How to really welcome the stranger to All Saints Lutheran Church Beth Lewis Augsburg Fortress January 2011 All Rights Reserved © 2011 Augsburg Fortress

8+ years of church visits…. . • The good…. . • The bad…. • And, the ugly….

George Gallup’s research show three “felt needs” of Americans today: • A need for spiritual moorings; • A need for deeper, more meaningful relationships with other people; • A need to reach out to hurting people on the margins of society.

Who has the ability to meet these needs better than the church?

But, first our neighbors have to feel truly welcome in our churches!

So, whose job is it to make sure your congregation is a welcoming community? Hint: It’s not (just) the pastor’s job!

Start with a team conducting a hospitality audit…

Before I arrive

Driving by…

How inviting is your parking lot?

Or, how about valet parking for those who need it? First United Methodist Church Kalamazoo, MI

Your website is your welcome mat to the world! * More on this during our technology session tomorrow!

As I come in the door…

Clean & Neat Counts!

Maybe Bi-lingual?

Good Samaritan United Methodist Church Edina, MN

Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN

During the worship service • Welcome to visitors from the pastor • Clear explanations throughout worship, especially regarding communion, offering, sharing the peace, etc • Visitor-friendly worship bulletins • Visitor cards & prayer request cards (capture e-mail addresses) • Bi-lingual bulletins, if appropriate for your context

During the worship service (cont. ) • Involve all ages in worship service • Variety of music • When teaching a song from another culture/in another language, invite a member of the congregation from that heritage to help with pronunciation, context explanation, etc • Temple talks on various ministries

Hope Lutheran Church St. Charles, MO

Child-friendly worship • Encourage families with small children to sit toward the front of the church so that they can see! • When there is a baptism, invite all of the children of the congregation to gather around the font • Include children in the activities of the worship service…bringing forward the wine & bread, assisting with taking the offering, reading the lessons. • For young children, keep “quiet bags” handy with ageappropriate toys, books, etc. But, be sure to keep them refreshed!

Peace Lutheran Church Pella, IA

Mt Calvary Lutheran Church, Eagan, MN

The nu toda mber for y is “X”. Pr. Roy’s announcement at he end of the worship service re: how many people each person should talk with after church that they don’t know before they talk to someone they do know! (usually 2 to 4) Pastor Roy Christell, Living Lord Lutheran Church Lake St. Louis, MO

Rejoicing Spirits is a worship service that reaches out to persons with developmental disabilities, their families and their caregivers Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus, PA. http: //www. holyspirit-emmaus. org/

After worship

Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines, IA

Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, IA 2001: awwa 2200 2009: awwa 7000

Bread for the Day 2011 Daily Bible Readings and Prayers

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pearl River, NY

Docents for a “tour” of an art collection? Stained glass windows? Preschool? Holy Cross LC- Menomonee Falls, WI

Follow-up • ASAP…same day but no later days after worship service – Bread delivery, phone call, card, etc. than 3 greeting • Invite to a specific event at least 3 times • Rename your “new member” class to be more inviting • Offer a congregational “mentor” • Don’t go overboard!

Hospitality to Inactive & Seasonal Members Continuation of newsletters Personal phone call, or note or e-card to invite them to a specific congregational activity Don’t be afraid to say “we miss you…is there some way we can be helpful to you so that you can more actively participate in our faith community? ”

Community Outreach & Evangelism • Become known as the “welcoming church” to community groups • Invite the neighbors to events outside of the sanctuary • VBS & preschool follow-up • Participate in community events

Engage teens in service opportunities Lord of Life LC, Lake St. Louis, MO has had teens wash car windows while people are in worship!

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, PA

Cleaned bathrooms in area gas stations & fast food restaurants & left an ARK card Paid for ice cream one evening at a local ice cream parlor & each person received an ARK card ARK projects in the community (Acts of Random Kindness) Lord of Life LC, Lake St. Louis, MO

http: //thebridge-online. org/ Coffee & fair trade shop hosted by 1 RCA & 3 ELCA congregations St. Charles, MO

Teach members this simple (and non-threatening) concept for witnessing their faith in daily life: "when my family and I pray at bedtime tonight, what would you like us to pray for you? "

http: //erikullestad. blogspot. com

Faith Formation 168 hours - 1 hour 167 hours

Bilingual English/Spanish Luther’s Small Catechism

Classroom, Lectionary, Rotation O nl in e Pr in t – Bibles – Leader prep videos – Leader guides – Leaflets – Music CD and songbook Leader material Registration Communication tools Planning capabilities

Bethany Lutheran Church Denver, CO

Humor can help reach kids…. www. wearesparkhouse. org/reform www. youtube. com/user/sparkhouse

Humor can help reach adults, too! Book of Faith humor free on You Tube www. youtube. com/user/augsburgfortress

Fed and Forgiven Communion Preparation and Formation • Leader Guide with CD-ROM • Pre. K-K Learner Resource • Grades 1 -3 Learner Resource • Grades 4 -6 Handbook • Adult Handbook • DVD • Communion Certificate www. fedandforgiven. org

Washed and Welcome A Baptism Sourcebook with CD-ROM • • • Pastoral and practical helps, advice, suggestions, examples Reproducible pages for parents, sponsors, godparents, children, families, congregation Encouragement and resources for strengthening a congregation’s total baptismal ministry Living the Promises of Baptism: 101 Ideas for Parents • Brief, practical ideas for celebrating the gifts of baptism in daily living Sponsor/Godparent Certificate www. augsburgfortress. org

Your Words Count! Use an inviting vocabulary • Instead of “members of” use “people of church name” • Instead of “visitors” use “new worshippers at church name” • Don’t use uncommon words that exclude visitors…narthex, LBW, WOV, ELW, etc • Do you have a “budget” or a “mission spending plan? ” • With internal communication, focus on the problem, not the person!

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me. ” --Matthew 25: 35

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if we may assist you! Beth Lewis beth. lewis@augsburgfortress. org http: //twitter. com/bethalewis