Christmas Eve Opportunities for Newcomers
I have discovered over the last several years a surprising source of energy in the preparations for our church’s Christmas Eve worship service. Relative newcomers…
Browsing: Newcomers
Articles
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Last summer I joined a large group of extended family and friends at the beach. There were, on and off, about twenty-five to thirty of…
Host Bridge Events to Reach New People
One of the disciplines of a disciple of Jesus Christ is to establish relationships with people we do not know — the unconnected — therefore…
The Ten Minute Rule
The first impression guests leave with determines whether they will be back. So what is it that goes into a good first impression? We interviewed…
Welcoming Newcomers to Your Congregation
How can you best welcome the next newcomer who crosses the threshold of your congregation? Consider Jesus’ call to the disciples. When he said, “Follow…
Wide Welcome: How the Unsettling Presence of Newcomers Can Save the Church
Jessicah Duckworth’s book Wide Welcome speaks to the question of how congregations can best welcome newcomers, engage them in Christian practices, and nurture their faith.…
From Assimilation to Acculturation
I believe that when we talk about the integration of new members into a congregation, we need to embrace the language of acculturation, not assimilation.…
Five Must-Know Facts about First-Time Guests
Healthy and growing churches pay close attention to the people they count as members, as well as those people who are not yet a part…
An Open Letter to Churches Seeking New Members
My husband and I moved to the city a few years ago and have been “between churches” ever since. We’ve been to visit quite a…
The Ministry of Greeting is for Everyone
In many churches, the approach to greeting worshipers assumes that the main focus should be on greeting guests and that seasoned church members make the…
Top 10 Learnings about Welcoming Newcomers
Churches often define their success in welcoming newcomers by the number of people who become members of their church. At Redeemer we have shifted our…
What about People Who Attend but Don’t Join?
In recent years, I have heard from many pastors who say that they are seeing an increase in the number of worshipers who attend their…
Friendships and Reaching New People
Every church believes itself to be a welcoming and friendly fellowship, but this isn’t always true. If our churches are to become spiritual communities where…
Ways to Welcome Worship Guests Warmly
Greet guests when they first arrive in the parking lot. Greet guests as they arrive at the door, saying “Good to see you. Glad you…
Who is Visiting Small Churches These Days?
When small church lay and clergy leaders gather, the first comments you often hear reflect an understandable anger, defensiveness, and dread of an imminent future.…
Everyone Welcome?
Many congregations truly do believe they are open to everyone until someone different comes along making them feel uncomfortable. I meet people all the time…
Building Community in Churches with High Turnover
Jim Somerville draws from his experience teaching at a college to find a helpful approach to the coming and going of church members. Many communities…
