*Divine ConnectorsWelcoming Worship Guests!*Divine ConnectorsWelcoming Worship Guests!*Divine ConnectorsWelcoming Worship Guests!
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live broadcast from
Oak Grove UMC, Decatur, GA.
Today’s Discussion:Welcoming
Worship Guests with LOVE
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Romans 15:7 Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.Studio Guest Experts
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Four Key QuestionsWhat is needed in the church before guests arrive? What prep is necessary?
What needs to be in place upon arrival of our worship guest?
What components are needed for young families and older adults?
How do you welcome worship guests without smothering them?
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Question One
What preparations are needed in and at the church before worship guests arrive?
Special Guest Experts:Kate Bohannon Cherie Hunter
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Preparations Educate the congregation on the
importance of hospitality.
Plan for adequate parking, ease of entry, good lighting, handicapped accessibility (inside and out), etc.
Train your Greeters and Ushers well. Assemble welcome packages / info available for all guests.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
More Preparations Use multimedia to:‐ introduce your church, ‐ provide clear directions, and ‐ invite to activities
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
More Preparations
Be a friendly, involved, community church!
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.Question Two
What needs to be in place upon arrival of our worship guest?
Special Guest Experts:Hulen Brown
Celeste Jonson
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
First Impressions Make sure the grounds and
facility overall are well cared for
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
First Impressions
Make sure the grounds and facility overall are well cared for
Make sure all "signage" inside & outside the church is clean, visible and overall user friendly.
Make people feel special even before
they enter the building.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
First Impressions
Make sure the grounds and facility overall are well cared for
Make sure all "signage" inside & outside the church is clean, visible and overall user friendly.
Refer to our “visitors” as “guests.”
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Visitorsvs.
Guests
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
More First Impressions
Provide a point of reference and direction for guests at a welcome desk.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
First Impressions
Provide a point of reference and direction for guests at a welcome desk… Provide welcome packs Use information cards
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.Question Three
What components are needed for young families and older adults?
Special Guest Experts:Jeremy McClain
Teal Sanders
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Predictors of Religiosity ▪Ethnicity▪Peers Church Attendance▪Residence in the South▪Gender▪Religious Schooling During Childhood
▪Maternal Religiosity▪Church Attendance During Childhood
Engaging the Whole Person▪Recognize cultural context▪Leadership must embody the life of God within today’s culture
▪Self‐awareness, emotional literacy, personal maturity, and integrity
▪Must be grounded in theology adopting a whole person approach
It is About Community
▪We are not service providers
▪Demographics must be integrated through authentic connection with community of faith
▪Adopting a “passing faith” vs “relational” framework
44%
40%
12%4%
ATTITUDES ABOUT CHURCH FROM UMC YOUTH
Love My Church Like My Church
Based on Survey Results of UMC Youth▪Were less likely to attend Sunday School than to attend Sunday Worship
▪Were likely to attend Sunday Worship by margins of 3 to 1
▪Yet all participated in demographic specific events
The most common answer when asked what was the most important part about church was…
Friends!
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.Question Four
How do you welcome visitors without smothering them?
Special Guest Experts:Harriet FairleyDavid Hannah
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.“Nursery
down hall”
“Here’s an envelope”
“Want to volunteer?”
“Take this pamphlet”
“New cafe is open”
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
4 Things NOT to Do Don’t overwhelm visitors with
information
Don’t assume the visitor know our abbreviations (UMW, UMCOR)
Don’t overwhelm visitors with to much follow-up
Don’t assume they are ready to join
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
4 Things To Do Do make sure someone is there to
greet and answer questions
Do make sure members are sincerely greeting everyone and not just each other
Do implement strategic follow‐up
Do speak in clear terms and avoid to much church speak
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
• PROGRAM IDEAS• Outreach programs ‐• Support a local school (afterschool
care, mentors, tutors, reading programs, activities for special need children and scouts)
• Church activities ‐• Mission Projects, Great Day of
Service, Fall Festivals, Easter and Christmas programs/activities, Singing/Bells programs for all ages
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
• PROGRAM IDEAS• Preschool activities –• Summer camp, preschool,
• Children’s activities –• Summer camp, programs for 4th and
5th graders (spark), Kids Serve, Kids Klub / Sunday School activities , VBS / Summer camp
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
PROGRAM IDEAS
• Youth activities –• WTL programs, such as, WTL
Band, bells, drama, Bible Study, Adult Activities‐Bible Studies, Prime Timers
All ages ‐ Fall Festivals, Holy week and Easter activities, Easter activities, Spring Flings, Christmas programs, Choir, Drama, Bells, Music, Jazz Fest
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.Show Credits Show Hosts: Cherie Hunter &
Celeste Jonson
Special Guests: Kate BohannonHulen BrownHarriet Fairley David HannahCherie HunterCeleste JonsonJeremy McClainTeal Sanders
Producers / DyanneCunninghamFacilitators Joe Gaunt
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Show Hosts: Cherie Hunter & Celeste Jonson
Special Guests: Kate BohannonHulen BrownHarriet Fairley David HannahCherie HunterJeremy McClainTeal Sanders
Producers / DyanneCunninghamFacilitators: Joe GauntShout out to:
Show Credits
References
Gunnoe, M.J. & Moore, K.A. (2002) Predictors of religiosity among youth aged 17‐22. A longitudinal study of the National Survey of Children. Journal for Scientific Study of Religion 41 (4), pp. 613‐622.
Ketcham, S.G. (2012). Solving the retention problem through integration: A communal vision for youth ministry. Journal of Youth Ministry 11 (1), pp. 7‐29.
Whitehead, J. (2014). Towards a practical theology of whole person learning. Enriching youth ministry formation through Pneumatological Perspectives. Journal of Adult Theological Education 11(1), pp. 61‐73.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Thank you for participating!
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Link to song: Welcome into this place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSClHkAJIh4 (slow but repeats)
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live broadcast from
Oak Grove UMC, Decatur, GA.
Today’s Song:WELCOME INTO
THIS PLACE
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Welcome Into This Place
Welcome into this place
Welcome into this broken vessel
You desire to abide
in the praises of Your people
As we lift our hands
And we lift our hearts
As we offer up this praise unto Your name
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
Let us Pray
References (??)
Gunnoe, M.J. & Moore, K.A. (2002) Predictors of religiosity among youth aged 17‐22. A longitudinal study of the National Survey of Children. Journal for Scientific Study of Religion 41 (4), pp. 613‐622.
Ketcham, S.G. (2012). Solving the retention problem through integration: A communal vision for youth ministry. Journal of Youth Ministry 11 (1), pp. 7‐29.
Whitehead, J. (2014). Towards a practical theology of whole person learning. Enriching youth ministry formation through Pneumatological Perspectives. Journal of Adult Theological Education 11(1), pp. 61‐73.
WWDC‐TV NEWS TALK Live from Oak Grove UMC, DECATUR, GA.
First Impressions
Refer to our “visitors” as “guests.” This term establishing a different feeling.
Make sure "signage" in the church as well as outside the church is clean, visible and overall user friendly.
Make sure the facility, and grounds are well cared for as it shows that the members love the church.