Creating a Church Where Every Visitor Feels Welcome
Every church has visitors.
Some may have been invited by a friend. Others may have discovered the church online. Some may be searching for answers about God. Others may simply be looking for somewhere they can belong.
They may arrive feeling excited, curious, nervous, uncertain or even frightened.
For some people, walking through the doors of a church for the first time can be a significant step.
How we welcome visitors matters.
A visitor may forget the sermon.
They may forget the songs.
They may forget what was said from the front.
But they are likely to remember how they were treated.
A warm welcome can open the door to friendship, belonging, discipleship and faith.
Who Are Your Visitors?
Not every visitor arrives with the same expectations.
You may welcome:
• Someone attending church for the first time.
• A returning Christian.
• A family with children.
• A young person.
• An older person.
• Someone who has moved into the area.
• Someone looking for a new church.
• Someone exploring Christianity.
• Someone who has been away from church for many years.
• Someone grieving.
• Someone experiencing loneliness.
• Someone seeking practical help.
• Someone who simply accepted an invitation from a friend.
Never assume you know why someone has walked through your doors.
Take time to get to know them.
Remember How It Feels to Be New
If you have attended church for many years, it can be easy to forget what it feels like to be new.
Established members know:
• Where to sit.
• Where the toilets are.
• When to stand.
• When to sit.
• What happens during communion.
• Where children go.
• Who the leaders are.
• How the service works.
A visitor may know none of these things.
What seems obvious to regular attenders may be completely unfamiliar to someone else.
A welcoming church explains rather than assumes.
The First Impression Matters
A visitor’s experience begins before the service starts.
Consider what they see when they arrive.
Is the entrance easy to find?
Is there clear signage?
Is someone available to welcome them?
Does the building feel accessible?
Is information easy to understand?
Are there people who can answer questions?
Small details can make a significant difference.
A Genuine Welcome
Welcoming people should be more than saying:
“Good morning.”
A genuine welcome involves noticing people.
Introduce yourself.
Ask their name.
Offer practical assistance.
If they have children, explain what is available.
If they appear uncertain, offer to help.
But be careful not to overwhelm them.
Some visitors will appreciate conversation.
Others may prefer to quietly find a seat.
Good hospitality pays attention to the individual.
Don’t Overwhelm Your Visitors
A visitor may already feel nervous.
Having several people immediately approach them can sometimes make the experience uncomfortable.
Give people space.
One friendly person making a genuine connection can be better than five people asking the same questions.
Avoid interrogating visitors.
You do not need to know their entire life story within five minutes.
Simple conversation is enough.
“Is this your first time with us?”
“Would you like me to show you where things are?”
“It’s lovely to have you here.”
These simple words can communicate warmth without pressure.
Make Information Easy to Find
Visitors should not have to guess what is happening.
Consider providing clear information about:
• Service times.
• Children’s activities.
• Youth groups.
• Toilets.
• Accessibility.
• Parking.
• Communion.
• Prayer opportunities.
• Small groups.
• Community activities.
• Contact details.
Information should be easy to understand.
Avoid assuming everyone understands church terminology.
Think About Families
Families can find visiting church particularly challenging.
Parents may wonder:
| Where do my children go? |
| Are children welcome in the service? |
| What happens if my child becomes upset? |
| Is there somewhere to feed or change a baby? |
| Are children’s activities safe? |
A family-friendly church makes this information clear.
Children should not be treated as a distraction.
They are part of the church community.
Welcome Young People
Young people should also feel that church is a place where they belong.
Give them opportunities to:
• Ask questions.
• Participate.
• Serve appropriately.
• Meet other young people.
• Explore faith.
• Develop their gifts.
Do not speak about young people as though they are simply “the future Church.”
They are part of the Church now.
Appropriate safeguarding should always be in place for children and young people.
Welcome Older Visitors
Older people may have different needs.
Consider:
• Seating.
• Hearing.
• Mobility.
• Large-print information.
• Clear communication.
• Accessible entrances.
• Transport difficulties.
A welcoming church thinks about accessibility before someone has to ask.
Welcome People With Disabilities
Accessibility is an important part of hospitality.
Consider whether visitors can:
• Enter the building easily.
• Access seating.
• Use appropriate toilets.
• Hear what is being said.
• See what is happening.
• Participate in worship.
• Receive information in accessible formats.
Do not make assumptions about what someone can or cannot do.
Ask respectfully if assistance is needed.
Be Sensitive to Difficult Circumstances
Not every visitor arrives because everything is going well.
Someone may walk into church because:
• They are grieving.
• Their marriage is struggling.
• They are lonely.
• They have lost their job.
• They are frightened.
• They are searching for hope.
• They need someone to talk to.
• They are questioning their faith.
Be compassionate.
You do not need to solve their problems.
Sometimes listening is the most important thing you can do.
Don’t Judge by Appearance
Visitors may not dress like regular church members.
They may not know the traditions.
They may have different backgrounds.
They may have questions that seem unusual.
They may not understand Christian language.
None of these things should determine how warmly they are welcomed.
The Church should be a place where people can explore faith without feeling that they must already know everything.
Avoid Insider Language
Churches can develop their own vocabulary.
Words and phrases that are familiar to Christians may be confusing to visitors.
Explain things clearly.
Don’t assume everyone knows what terms such as:
• Communion.
• Baptism.
• Discipleship.
• Fellowship.
• Evangelism.
• Testimony.
• Worship.
mean in your particular context.
Clear communication makes people feel included.
The Service Itself
Think about the experience of someone who knows nothing about your church.
Can they understand what is happening?
Are instructions clear?
Is there an explanation when something unfamiliar takes place?
Can they participate without feeling pressured?
A visitor should not feel embarrassed because they do not know what to do.
Hospitality Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Welcoming visitors should not be left entirely to a welcome team.
Everyone can contribute.
Members can:
• Smile.
• Introduce themselves.
• Offer assistance.
• Sit with someone who is alone.
• Invite someone for coffee.
• Introduce visitors to others.
• Help people find activities.
• Follow up appropriately.
A church becomes welcoming when hospitality becomes part of its culture.
What Happens After the Service?
The welcome should not end when the service finishes.
Create opportunities for visitors to connect.
Perhaps there is:
• Tea or coffee.
• A community meal.
• A welcome area.
• An introduction to church activities.
• A small group.
• A social event.
But again, avoid pressure.
Give people choices.
Following Up
Following up with visitors can be valuable, but it should be handled respectfully.
If someone provides their contact details or explicitly asks for information, contact them appropriately.
A simple message might say:
“It was lovely to have you with us. We hope you felt welcome. If you have any questions or would like information about our activities, please get in touch.”
Avoid excessive messages.
Give people space to decide whether they want further contact.
Protect Visitors’ Privacy
Churches should take privacy seriously.
Do not publicly announce someone’s name, circumstances or personal information without appropriate permission.
Be particularly careful with:
• Contact details.
• Photographs.
• Children’s information.
• Prayer requests.
• Personal circumstances.
Hospitality should always be accompanied by respect.
Create a Culture of Belonging
A visitor should not simply be welcomed into a building.
They should have the opportunity to discover community.
Belonging develops through relationships.
Invite people to appropriate activities.
Introduce them to people with similar interests.
Help them discover opportunities to participate.
But remember:
Belonging cannot be manufactured.
It develops naturally through trust and friendship.
Don’t Expect Visitors to Become Members Immediately
Someone may need time.
They may want to visit several times.
They may have questions.
They may be exploring Christianity.
They may have experienced difficulties in another church.
Give them space.
Evangelism and hospitality should not become sales techniques.
The goal is not simply to increase attendance.
The goal is to love people, share the Gospel and help people discover whether your church can become a place where they grow in faith and community.
When a Visitor Doesn’t Return
It can be tempting to assume we did something wrong.
Sometimes people don’t return for reasons completely unrelated to the church.
They may have moved.
They may be unwell.
They may have chosen another church.
They may not yet be ready.
Continue to welcome others.
Learn where improvements can be made, but do not measure your entire ministry by attendance figures.
Ask Your Visitors
One of the best ways to improve is to ask visitors about their experience.
You could ask:
• Was it easy to find us?
• Did you feel welcome?
• Was the service easy to follow?
• Was there anything you found confusing?
• Did you know where to go?
• Was there anything we could improve?
• What would help you feel more comfortable visiting again?
Listen without becoming defensive.
Constructive feedback can help a church grow.
Build a Welcoming Team
A church may benefit from a dedicated welcome team.
Volunteers should be:
• Friendly.
• Approachable.
• Reliable.
• Good listeners.
• Respectful.
• Sensitive.
• Appropriately trained.
Their role is not simply to greet people.
They help create an atmosphere where visitors know that they matter.
Welcome Through Your Website
For many people, the first visit to your church happens online.
Your website should answer basic questions clearly.
Consider including:
| Who are you? | Where are you? | When do you meet? |
| What should I expect? | Are children welcome? | Is the building accessible? |
| What should I wear? | How can I contact you? | What happens during a service? |
Someone who is nervous about visiting may feel much more confident after finding these answers online.
Welcome Through Social Media
Your social media presence can also communicate the culture of your church.
Share:
• Community activities.
• Worship opportunities.
• Stories of service.
• Children’s and youth activities.
• Prayer opportunities.
• Community outreach.
• Encouraging messages.
Make sure images and information are used responsibly and with appropriate permissions.
The Visitor Who Never Says Anything
Some visitors may never ask questions.
They may sit quietly.
They may leave immediately after the service.
They may not want to talk.
Do not assume they were unaffected.
They may be processing everything they experienced.
Your kindness may have mattered more than you realise.
What Will Your Visitors Remember?
Think about the following:
Will they remember being ignored?
Or noticed?
Will they remember feeling confused?
Or helped?
Will they remember feeling judged?
Or accepted?
Will they remember being pressured?
Or given space?
Will they remember being treated as a number?
Or treated as a person?
These questions can help a church consider what kind of welcome it provides.
A 7-Day Welcome Challenge
| Day 1 — Notice | Look for someone who may be new or alone. |
| Day 2 — Introduce Yourself | Have a genuine conversation. |
| Day 3 — Offer Help | Ask whether they need assistance finding anything. |
| Day 4 — Include | Introduce them to another appropriate member of the church. |
| Day 5 — Invite | Where appropriate, invite them to a suitable church or community activity. |
| Day 6 — Pray | Pray for visitors and those who may be searching for God. |
| Day 1 — Notice | Look for someone who may be new or alone. |
| Day 2 — Introduce Yourself | Have a genuine conversation. |
| Day 3 — Offer Help | Ask whether they need assistance finding anything. |
| Day 4 — Include | Introduce them to another appropriate member of the church. |
| Day 5 — Invite | Where appropriate, invite them to a suitable church or community activity. |
| Day 6 — Pray | Pray for visitors and those who may be searching for God. |
| Day 7 — Reflect | |
| Ask yourself: | |
| What could our church do better to welcome people? | |
Other Ideas To Think About
Your role is to make church visitors feel welcomed and let the visitor know that they feel connected, so they feel comfortable to come back.
- Why not create a visitor centre in the foyer of your church? You can have your welcome team here, also leaflets and information.
- Make an evaluation and invite a mystery visitor to give feedback.
- Why not have a connection card that your guest can fill out. You could include Learn about being in a relationship with Jesus. Learn more about becoming baptised. Take part in a small group at church. Invite someone to pay them a visit at their house. Talk about if they have prayer needs. Get involved in church service.
- Your church community knows where everything is, but your guest does not, have good signage for people to get around your church.
- Have a board or screen that introduces the key members of the church, so your guests can recognise them and also know who to come to if they have a problem or need information.
- Have a welcome pack and a free coffee voucher inside. It also helps your congregation to spot a new guest and gives them the opportunity to talk to them.
- During the service have a welcome speech for newcomers including online.
- When the offering baskets are handed out make it plain to first-time guests that while giving is completely voluntary and primarily for church members, they are welcome to do so if they want to.
- Leaving the building – ask the visitor to come back if they want to.
- Have a follow-up plan which includes the individuals’ requirements from their connect card. People return to your church if the outreach to them is swift. Your welcome team can organise this follow-up. Some ideas that outreaching to the visitor could be thanking them for visiting. Ask them if they need anything. Would they be open to a home visit. If it is OK to text them reminding them about key events at church.
- Hold a getting to know you, meal or afternoon tea. This is an effective way to get the congregation together with the new visitors and build relationships.
- Is your decor out of date or tired? Is your church too hot or too cold? Is your church light or dark? Is the church too quiet or too noisy? Are there empty spaces on the walls or too much visual noise?
- Invite your visitors to a Bible group, but also be aware that some people might find this off putting straightaway so be guided by your guest.
- Pray for your new visitors, through home groups and prayer groups.
- Have a guest book for visitors to sign, this will enable you to ask for contact details.
- If someone in your congregation is able to do sign language it would be worth considering putting them on your welcoming team.
- Have a team that can bring disabled or elderly people to church. Make sure your church is disabled friendly. Review your facilities on a regular basis with a disability task group.
- It might be worth investigating how your church service can be multilingual
Welcome Pack
It’s similar to offering a tiny memento to a guest at your church as a thank you for coming. It gives them something physical they can take with them. It’s a rapid method of sharing updates and activities in the church community.
- You could use a folder or a gift bag.
- You could put a little gift in e.g. a church bookmark/pen/keyring or a free coffee voucher. On information leaflets and your free gift, it would be ideal to have your church logo on it. Remember to set a budget and keep to it.
What to include in welcome pack
- A welcome letter
- Invitation to next week
- Description about your church and it’s vision.
- Links to previous sermons
- Information on what’s going on in your church e.g. home groups, Bible groups, craft groups so on. Do not let your church be regarded as a Sunday service, weddings, and funerals building, show there is more going on.
- Upcoming events
- Free gift
- What your current sermon series is
- Your social media links, YouTube sermons and website details
- Connect card.
- Contact details – this is for your visitor to hand to you so you can keep in contact.
- Include multilingual materials.
- Access statement
- Consider visually impaired e.g. large print, or audio version. (An audio version could be very helpful for people with learning difficulties) Hearing loop
World Bibles multilingual https://worldbibles.org/search_languages/eng
New Testament French https://francaissimple.bible/00-FRT-000.html
Filipino Christian Resources https://www.filipinochristianresources.com/
Global Recordings Network https://www.globalrecordings.net/en/uk
Google Translate https://translate.google.co.uk/?sl=auto&tl=en&op=translate
Spanish Christian Resources https://www.spanishchristian.org/
Disability Rights https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/
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