A common question I get to address is:
How do I find volunteers for the hospitality ministry?
If you are the leader of your church’s hospitality committee, this is a question on your mind.
After all, you’ve already come to the realization that your church needs to do a better job of welcoming first time visitors.
But you have a hard time getting volunteers.
Attitude #1: Greeting: It’s everyone’s job.
Maybe you’ve encountered this attitude.
People neglect the intentionality of the hospitality ministry because it’s everyone’s responsibility.
You encounter resistance because they believe it’s the role of everyone.
I’ve seen it in smaller churches that have never had a welcome ministry.
I’ve seen it in mid-size churches that used to have a welcome ministry, but it got neglected over time.
Attitude #2: It’s not my gift. . .
I’ve seen people hide behind this one too.
I’ve met people who seem to have few social skills and would rather do something else than say hello to strangers.
But, I’ve also met people who find visitors to be a nuisance:
- Those visitors sit in my pew and make me sit somewhere else.
- They dress funny.
- They might not be here legally.
- That family might be a bad influence on my kids.
So they give a cold shoulder instead of a warm welcome, and hide behind “It’s not my gift.â€
Attitude #3: I don’t need training
You may already have people doing some kind of welcome ministry.
But you know it’s a mediocre experience for the visitor.
You may have volunteers who have settled into their routine of handing out bulletins, but have no grace, charm, or love for the visitor – it’s their church job vs. a ministry.
They are resistant to improving the hospitality ministry because they believe “I know how to welcome people, I’ve been doing it here for 10 years.â€
Work at Changing their Minds
Part of your work as the hospitality ministry leader will be to change these attitudes.
As you personally recruit your volunteers, you’ll have the chance to express how important this ministry is to the growth of your church.
1. Regularly Cast the Vision for Hospitality Ministry.
There are many ways to cast that vision, but this is a process of time.
Find and share stories of the impact of hospitality ministry.
Celebrate it from the front, and celebrate them at moments like baptisms and membership Sundays.
2. Have a Vision refresher Meeting.
Gather your volunteers for a vision refresher meeting. Take some time to both recast the vision, and provide some training for your volunteers.
These meetings can also serve as an entry point for recruiting new volunteers to your hospitality ministry that you have been identifying.
3. Â Personally recruitÂ
If you want to recruit volunteers for this ministry of hospitality, make the effort to
- pray
- identify
- share the vision
- Ask for the volunteer to serve.
Personal recruitment, particularly in smaller church is the most effective way to start getting new volunteers.
They need to see and hear your passion for this welcoming ministry.
Let me ask you this
What are some of the ways that you have gone about finding volunteers?
What are some of the ways you have overcome some of these attitudes?
Download Tools under $15 to help you
Each one of these tools can help you with training. Click on their links to learn more.
- Church Greeters 101 – an book aimed at helping you recruit and organize your greeter ministry.
- Create a Culture of Church Hospitality – audio download that includes 14 ways to cast vision.
- Greeter Training Webinar DVD Pack – 2 hour long class for greeters.
- Evaluate your Church hospitality – audio download on reviewing your systems
