Some of you have told me via email that you are feeling inspired to have regular training meetings for your greeters and all the members of your hospitality ministries.
One of the biggest problems that people are reporting to me is the lack of consistency in their hospitality ministries. One of the best ways to over come that is regular ongoing training.
In this video, I share my thoughts on what needs to happen in a training meeting.
I shot this little video while on the roof of my building. The cloud cover was causing me to squint perhaps a little too much, but I didn’t have much time left to re-shoot the video.
After seeing what I suggest, what do you suggest would be helpful to cover in a training meeting?
Susan says
May 4, 2009 at 11:40 amThank you for this message. We are in the process of restructuring our Welcome Team and will be starting to do training within the next couple of weeks. I am excited to see what others post….
Church Administrator - WELC says
June 8, 2009 at 5:25 amWe have a booklet to walk through as a workshop.
We have practical exercises where you actually walk through a scenario.
We notice what we do and should not do.
They laugh at each other and correct themselves so that they are more comfortable with greeting a person.
We are very informal and because we are “Come as you are” that takes a softer approach to people receiving us.
We care about our inner soul not your outer clothes is one of our sayings.
Paula says
July 27, 2009 at 3:31 amWe just started greeter trainer workshops last year, and plan on it being an annual event, aside from when newcomers join the ministry.
First, we cover, “What does God’s word say about Hospitality?”
We do surveys prior to the workshop from previous visitors to get a list of pros and cons. This has been extremely helpful. We also go over basic guidelines(arrival time, guest packets, etc.). And then, we role play. We are planning our next workshop in September.
Clarissa says
May 16, 2010 at 12:09 amWe’ve just started the training for new greeters/ushers…
We want to improve have a uniformed look and a consistant way of commuincating to each other and the church to maintain a smooth flow during each part of the service.
Evangelismcoach says
May 17, 2010 at 8:01 amI’ve been seeing more and more that folks want information on how to start the training process. . Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.
The idea of surveying a few visitors from recent weeks is a great idea that I see more churches implementing.
It’s a spot check, in a sense, rather than a scientific survey. .
Loraine says
January 2, 2011 at 4:34 pmThank again for the wonderful training videos.
Our Church has a monthy average of 125 people in attendence. I have quarterly greeter meetings. If I have a new greeter before it is time for a meeting I do an individual training or the new greeter trains with assistant Head Greeter. I always welcome new ideas from the greeters, which keeps them involved.
Pastor D says
October 3, 2012 at 9:24 amAt our church (about 75 adults in attendance at the worship service), one aspect crucial to the training is: define the expected results of our Hospitality program. I.e., what is our goal? (Answer: relationship building.)
Too often the Greeters may think the goal is simply to get a bulletin in the hands of every congregant before the service begins, hold the doors open, direct traffic flow, answer questions, etc.
EvangelismCoach says
October 3, 2012 at 9:43 amPastor D:
What a great throught and question to ask. I have been using a similar train of thought to help challenge the entire hospitality team:
What is the desired outcome? It’s amazing how that question opens up a bigger picture than the duty of passing out a bulletin.
Kathy says
October 25, 2013 at 7:21 amOur church just started 2 services on Sunday mornings. We did average around 350 for 1 service. At first we just saw about same on Sunday mornings 150 new early service then 200 at regular service. It has been approx. 2 mths and it has evened out. Our goal was for all who volunteer on Sunday mornings to be able to also have a chance to worship and be ministered to. It is a slow process but we already see some positive results. For right now I have continued the schedule already in place for this year and those scheduled to greet/welcome desk have been working thru both services. (desk is located so those working it can also participate in worship. We had a training/information meeting this month. Our lead security person spoke and we had a small training on a new tablet that has been bought for desk so Greeeters can be kept up to date on any last minute changes. Also our head of Ushers spoke for a moment. (we are including ushers in our traininf/meetings as they are a part of the first/last impression group) This only left half the time I was hoping for to go over things I am learning from your videos and the downloaded book “How to Welcome Church Visitors” and book “Church Greeters 101″. But I believe it was good for all to hear from some other areas that impact us. I have scheduled another meeting in Nov. to go over scheduling for Next year. I would love some input on how others do their scheduling for 2 morning services!! I am going to rotate everyone from door greeters to working at welcome desk. We are praying to double our volunteers in these areas for next year but for right now we just have 15 people 4 of which have a regular person that works with them (spouse/daughter). We would like to have at the least 3 (4 be better) people scheduled at entrance doors and then 2 scheduled at desk (so 1 may leave either doors or desk ) and escort or show our visitors restrooms, nursery etc. Ushers could/should also be available to show visitors where things are located and then escort them to a seat for service. ( Ushers are being reorganized also, we have just been using those that serve as ushers as to who is there and available that morning) Would like all to be available after services also to thank all who came to church that day and sometimes this is better time to show visitors around. Please any thoughts or pointers would be more than appreciated!! Love the goal Pastor D says in comment above what is our goal? (Answer: relationship building.)” I will be using that only I have added to answer : “relationship building to help relationship building with Christ!” Thank you Rev. Walker for sharing the gift that the Spirit has given you to help all churches grow in Christ! Blessings to All serving in Christ!
EvangelismCoach.org says
October 25, 2013 at 9:10 amThanks for stopping by.
The overall goal is 1st: make it as easy and comfortable as possible to get guests to their seats. The second goal is then building relationships.
I see a hyrid of arrangements most times:
1. Some volunteers will schedule a block at a time so they can develop continuity in recognizing visitors.
2. Some volunteers will aim for a particular Sunday a month.
3. Others will volunteer when they are available (like a pilot for an airline who doesn’t know from Sunday to Sunday if he’s working).
While it’s complex for you to manage all three types, it facilitates your volunteers into service. You’ll need to continue to think through how to keep it simple and effective given the layout of your services and buildlng.