The Sacrament of Hospitality: Welcoming Visiting Guests to Church

Stewardship AdvocatesTM

Why a Sacrament?

Fr. Alexander Schmemann wrote, “A sacrament reveals the true nature and purpose of creation.” Therefore, the sacrament of hospitality reveals the true nature and purpose of human relations in creation – loving acceptance and personal regard for the other.

“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:34

Parish Challenges for Intentional Hospitality

• Is there a vision for hospitality? Is it a priority?

• Do we minister to visitors as guests? - There’s a difference!

• Do we have an established ministry for hospitality?

• Have we invested time, energy and funds in training the ministry team?

• Have we identified and addressed obstacles to Orthodox Church membership?

The icon of hospitality: The visitation of the Holy Trinity as angels to Abraham and Sarah.

Parish Context

• Every Orthodox parish has its own distinctive culture

• Hospitality ministry must work within the context of the culture of the parish

• How would the parish feel about a large infusion of new members who do not share the present cultural identity of the community?

• An effective hospitality ministry must cast an objective and dispassionate eye upon the culture of the parish.

One parish’s survey asked “Should our parish be more open and sensitive to non-Orthodox spouses and visitors? The overwhelming response was “Yes!” But when the next question asked, “Should this be done at the cost of losing some of the parish’s ethnic/cultural identity, the majority said “No”. Interesting ambivalence here.

Hospitality is not a Synonym for Evangelization - Though it is an essential aspect of evangelization -

Studies show that virtually all churches think they are friendly – but are they really? The parish feels friendly to people who are already members and integrated into the community, but how does it feel to visiting guests?

Orthodox Evangelization • Respecting each person’s spiritual journey just as

God honors our freedom to choose

• The conviction that the fullness of the Holy Spirit exists in the Orthodox Church, though like the wind, we do not know where it comes from and where it is going. (John 3:8) Or, we know where the Holy Spirit is but we do not know where the Holy Spirit is not.

• Joyfully demonstrating through words and action the good news of the unconditional love of God for each person

• Gently and consensually assisting others to become “partakers of divine nature” (II Peter 1:4) within the Orthodox Church

Evangelization

• The family room

• Embarkation

• Catechumenate

• Transformative knowledge

• Shared journey

• Belonging

• Life changing immersion

• Abiding

Hospitality

• The front porch

• Welcoming visit

• Personal connection

• Positive experience

• Interaction

• Hanging out

• First impressions

• Repeat visit

Similarity and Contrast in Methods and Goals

Suggested Definition of Orthodox Hospitality

The friendly and generous reception and warm welcoming of visitors as guests and the readiness to accept them and assist them as fellow travelers on a spiritual journey.

“Those who seek God have already found Him.” – Blaise Paschal

What Church Visitors May Really be Looking For

Visiting guests are not really looking for a “friendly church.”

What they are likely looking for is “friends”.

They also may be looking for a church that is “one, holy,

catholic and apostolic” but poor hospitality obscures the

perception and awareness that they have actually found it.

Hospitality Exercise An article, together with the graphic on the right, is available on Stewardship Advocates website @ http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org/church-growth-auditing-the-public-persona-of-the-parish/ Write down or together brainstorm actions, events, obstacles, attractions, impediments, allures, hurdles, incentives, etc. that fall into the various categories on the sheet. Discuss the findings and plan how to maximize the positives and mitigate the negatives.

Research to Establish or Improve upon Your Parish’s Hospitality Ministry

• Have your team visit other churches as first-time guests, arriving separately, taking notes and then later discussing your observations together

• Invite a friend to experience your church and give you candid feedback, then without being defensive, listen to learn

• Learn from recent newcomers through a survey (see Stewardship Advocates Library item @ http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org/orthodox-parish-new-member-survey/

From Vision to Implementation

• The priest is essential to success expressed through a willingness to embrace intentional hospitality, leading to evangelization in sermons, announcements, newsletters, the website, classes, personal time with visiting guests, inquirers and catechumens

• Regular training of a team of FHBs (friendly human beings) – greeters, ushers, campus guides, survey takers, parking help, security, designated listeners at coffee hour, etc.)

• The parish council supports by advocacy and funding

• Newcomers are celebrated and a continuing and courteous effort is made to integrate them into the community.

Sample Training Suggestions • Write down what it was like personally to be a guest

in a church or in another organization

• Learn how to read body language

• Role play common guest/host scenarios

• Learn what to say and how to say it

• Produce a draft FAQ and discuss

• Learn how to listen effectively

• Formulate non-threatening, open-ended questions that serve to receive information from guests and assist them to feel welcomed

• Study relevant scripture and patristic writings

Tips for Ushers and Greeters

• Dress appropriately

• Be easily identifiable

• Smile and have fresh breath

• Make eye contact

• Take the initiative and greet people

• Equip yourself with helpful guest-oriented material

• Never say “Are you new?” or “First time here?”

• Say rather, “I don’t believe I have met you yet.”

• NO hugs to visiting guests or those not known well

• Conscientiously record information that may serve to develop the relationship further, then debrief with team or team chair

Coffee Hour Ministry

• Designate “listeners” and careful observers of seemingly lost or neglected people and then take the initiative to meet them, seeking opportunities to be of service

• Fresh coffee and finger food with healthy options

• Napkins and trash cans

• Obvious location or signage to restrooms

• Give guests appropriate information or free book

• Escort visiting guests over to meet the priest or tour of the facility

• If possible, receive their contact information: name, address, email and phone is all that is needed now; ask if they would like to receive the parish newsletter

Contact Information and Additional Material from Stewardship Advocates

phone/text: 347.831.1848

email: orthodoxconsultant@gmail.com

newsletter: http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org/

website: http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org

facebook.com/stewardshipadvocates

facebook.com/anthonyscottsa

twitter.com/stadvocates

linkedin.com/in/anthonylscott

pinterest.com/anthonylscott/

slideshare.net/anthonyscottsa