by Fiona Hammond
Delegates to the Western Region Lay Conference 2017 contributed ideas to make our churches more welcoming. Here are just a few to get you thinking, no matter the size of your congregation!
Always be hospitable – actively offer a warm welcome
This is the job of everyone in our congregation, no matter what kind of day they are having!
Listen to your visitor and see what it is that brought them to Church today.
Use your “people” people (those with a bit of intuition about others) to extend more if appropriate: this could include a coffee, or a meal with others from the congregation, or connect them with a small group that meets this week.
Always remember that food and chat go together
Be flexible and welcome everyone, even if they look like they may not belong: remember, you are Jesus’ hands and feet in this situation!