Building a Welcoming and Friendly Small Church
Building a welcoming small church requires intentionality. For a small church to grow and thrive, it’s essential to cultivate a culture of friendliness and outreach that makes visitors feel at home. Whether it’s through personal interaction or a church-wide initiative, this article will explore key principles that can help your church be more inviting.
The Friendliness Factor
One of the simplest and most effective ways to grow a church is through friendliness. When newcomers enter the church doors, they need to feel that they’ve come to a place where they belong. The Bible emphasizes the importance of hospitality and caring for others.
As Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” By practicing hospitality, churches not only welcome newcomers but may also impact lives in ways they can’t immediately see.
Romans 12:13 reinforces this: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Friendliness isn’t just about being polite; it’s about actively making space for others and meeting their needs.
The G.I.F.T. Plan for a Friendlier Church
One helpful framework for ensuring friendliness is the G.I.F.T. plan, which stands for Greet, Introduce, Follow up, and Thank. This approach makes it easy for churches to ensure every guest is welcomed and cared for.
- G – Greet: Make a point to greet someone you haven’t met before. Get out of your comfort zone to welcome new faces.
- I – Introduce: Help newcomers connect by introducing them to others in the congregation. This could be introducing a first-time guest to the pastor or connecting individuals with shared interests.
- F – Follow Up: After meeting someone, follow up with them. This can be as simple as saying hello the next time you see them or inviting them to join a group.
- T -Thank: Express appreciation to those who serve and volunteer. A simple thank you can make a big difference in fostering a sense of community.
1 Peter 4:9 teaches, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Greeting newcomers with warmth and a genuine smile is a critical first step in showing Christ’s love. Beyond greeting, making introductions within the congregation helps guests connect more deeply. Philippians 2:4 advises, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Making an introduction helps visitors feel that their interests and spiritual well-being are valued by the church family.
After their visit, following up with a friendly message or a phone call demonstrates care beyond the initial interaction. Finally, thanking the person for coming shows appreciation, which can go a long way in ensuring they return.
Dusting Off the Welcome Mat
Churches must also evaluate how accessible and welcoming they appear to those outside their regular membership. Matthew 5:14-16 encourages Christians to be a light to the world: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” A small church should aim to be visible and approachable in the community, shining brightly as a beacon of God’s love.
Beyond visibility, churches need to ensure that first-time visitors can easily navigate both the physical building and the worship service. Colossians 4:5-6 advises, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” This includes making the building easy to navigate, having greeters available, and ensuring the service is understandable for someone unfamiliar with Christian traditions.
Outreach
Outreach is key to church growth. Even if your church is small, the Great Commission calls us to go beyond our walls. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus instructs, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This mission means that no church, however small, should only be inward-looking. Being outward-focused is essential to making an impact in the local community. Luke 14:23 echoes this, saying, “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.’” The call to invite others into the church is a biblical mandate, not just an option.
A small church can leverage its size to be more personal in its outreach. Personal invitations from members to friends, neighbors, and co-workers are powerful tools for growth. Organizing community service events, helping those in need, and simply being involved in the local neighborhood can help the church establish itself as a caring and active presence.
Conclusion
A welcoming small church is not built overnight, but by embracing biblical hospitality and intentional outreach, churches can grow in both numbers and depth. Following the example of scripture, your church can become a community that warmly embraces newcomers and shines as a light to those seeking God. Remember, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:4, we are called to “look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others.” By doing so, we create a church environment where people want to return, grow, and ultimately, join the family of God.
