THIS WAY TO THE POTTY
Being unfamiliar creates discomfort. Knowing what to expect in a new setting (and therefore what is expected of us) helps us to feel more comfortable.
So when you are greeting someone who is new to our church, what are some things that you can do to help them feel “familiar”?
The first thing I like to know whenever I enter a new setting is where the bathrooms are. But it can be slightly awkward going up to someone and saying, “Excuse me, but where are your restrooms?” If you’re talking to someone and find out that they are new to our church – after you have introduced them and chatted awhile (see my previous blogs) – you may want to say something like, “Well, let me familiarize you with some things about our church. I know the first thing I want to know when I go somewhere is where the bathrooms are. They are right down that hall on the left.”
You may think that feels awkward, but we all know that we all want to know that little piece of information. If you offer it straightforwardly and confidently, you are serving them and you bear the ‘embarrassment’ of the topic rather than forcing them to bear it.
The second thing that will help people feel comfortable is familiarity with the order of the service. Let them know what to expect. Our order of service is quite simple:
Opening song (we usually stand to sing)
Announcements
Worship time (more singing led by the worship team)
Sermon
Closing song
Some visitors may wonder about an offering. You may want to mention that we don’t take an offering, that our people give online or slip their offerings into the black box by the door. But we don’t really look for our visitors to give anything. We want them to just enjoy the service.
Finally, people with children need to know what to do with their children. If you don’t know which children go where or at which time, find someone who does know and introduce the new family to that person – one of the elders (Ron Schnabel is in charge of Sunday school) or deacons or the church secretary.
If you do know where the children go, take the parents on a little tour of the building and show them where their children will be.
Share what you know. If you don’t know something that they ask or that they need to know, don’t get flustered and don’t be embarrassed. Just find someone who knows. That will create additional connections and build familiarity, making our visitors more comfortable.
So when you are greeting someone who is new to our church, what are some things that you can do to help them feel “familiar”?
The first thing I like to know whenever I enter a new setting is where the bathrooms are. But it can be slightly awkward going up to someone and saying, “Excuse me, but where are your restrooms?” If you’re talking to someone and find out that they are new to our church – after you have introduced them and chatted awhile (see my previous blogs) – you may want to say something like, “Well, let me familiarize you with some things about our church. I know the first thing I want to know when I go somewhere is where the bathrooms are. They are right down that hall on the left.”
You may think that feels awkward, but we all know that we all want to know that little piece of information. If you offer it straightforwardly and confidently, you are serving them and you bear the ‘embarrassment’ of the topic rather than forcing them to bear it.
The second thing that will help people feel comfortable is familiarity with the order of the service. Let them know what to expect. Our order of service is quite simple:
Opening song (we usually stand to sing)
Announcements
Worship time (more singing led by the worship team)
Sermon
Closing song
Some visitors may wonder about an offering. You may want to mention that we don’t take an offering, that our people give online or slip their offerings into the black box by the door. But we don’t really look for our visitors to give anything. We want them to just enjoy the service.
Finally, people with children need to know what to do with their children. If you don’t know which children go where or at which time, find someone who does know and introduce the new family to that person – one of the elders (Ron Schnabel is in charge of Sunday school) or deacons or the church secretary.
If you do know where the children go, take the parents on a little tour of the building and show them where their children will be.
Share what you know. If you don’t know something that they ask or that they need to know, don’t get flustered and don’t be embarrassed. Just find someone who knows. That will create additional connections and build familiarity, making our visitors more comfortable.