Fruitful Fellowship at the Feast!
by Norma Terrell
Who is responsible for greeting our guests? Who is
responsible for encouraging visitors to become members? On average, how long
does it take for a first-time visitor to decide whether or not they will come
back? What is the most important question you can ask a visitor? What are people
truly seeking when they decide to make a church
visit?
These and other questions were posed to Northaven members by Beth LaBella at last Sunday evening’s Feast of Friendship. A feast it was! Over 80 of our Northaven family gathered in the atrium, bringing with them an array of delicious covered dishes (something we Methodists have long been known for!), healthy appetites, and friendly, spirited conversation. Following the meal, we moved into the sanctuary for some stimulating group activities designed to provide a springboard for discussion about what we do at Northaven to welcome the stranger/visitor.
The event’s theme came directly from Bishop Robert Schnase’s book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. In section one, called “Radical Hospitality,” he examines through his personal experience and observation what churches do to provide true hospitality to visitors. In one of the evening’s group activities, each group was challenged to come up with ways we offer hospitality through all of our body parts: the head, the chest, the arms and legs, etc. Wonderful and concrete ideas, such as walking up to someone we don’t know (feet) and listening to a person’s story (ears), came from this activity. Suggestions from the group were made to add greeters at the south and north ends of our building, to add visitor parking spaces in the north parking lot, and to improve the “welcome visitors” signage and visibility of the information tables.
A big thanks goes to Beth LaBella for her excellent planning and executing of this event, and thanks to her team of helpers from Program Council for their many contributions to the evening.
Now for some answers!
Who is responsible for greeting our guests?
All of us!
Who is responsible for encouraging visitors to become members?
Again, all of us!
On average, how long does it take for a first-time visitor to decide whether or not they will come back?
Just a few minutes! However, follow-up during the week can sway their decision.
What is the most important question you can ask a visitor?
What brings you to Northaven today?
What are people truly seeking when they decide to make a church visit?
Affiliation - a way and a place to belong.
It is up to each one of us to welcome them just as Christ welcomes us!
These and other questions were posed to Northaven members by Beth LaBella at last Sunday evening’s Feast of Friendship. A feast it was! Over 80 of our Northaven family gathered in the atrium, bringing with them an array of delicious covered dishes (something we Methodists have long been known for!), healthy appetites, and friendly, spirited conversation. Following the meal, we moved into the sanctuary for some stimulating group activities designed to provide a springboard for discussion about what we do at Northaven to welcome the stranger/visitor.
The event’s theme came directly from Bishop Robert Schnase’s book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. In section one, called “Radical Hospitality,” he examines through his personal experience and observation what churches do to provide true hospitality to visitors. In one of the evening’s group activities, each group was challenged to come up with ways we offer hospitality through all of our body parts: the head, the chest, the arms and legs, etc. Wonderful and concrete ideas, such as walking up to someone we don’t know (feet) and listening to a person’s story (ears), came from this activity. Suggestions from the group were made to add greeters at the south and north ends of our building, to add visitor parking spaces in the north parking lot, and to improve the “welcome visitors” signage and visibility of the information tables.
A big thanks goes to Beth LaBella for her excellent planning and executing of this event, and thanks to her team of helpers from Program Council for their many contributions to the evening.
Now for some answers!
Who is responsible for greeting our guests?
All of us!
Who is responsible for encouraging visitors to become members?
Again, all of us!
On average, how long does it take for a first-time visitor to decide whether or not they will come back?
Just a few minutes! However, follow-up during the week can sway their decision.
What is the most important question you can ask a visitor?
What brings you to Northaven today?
What are people truly seeking when they decide to make a church visit?
Affiliation - a way and a place to belong.
It is up to each one of us to welcome them just as Christ welcomes us!
Posted: Wednesday - April 16, 2008 at 01:19 PM |
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:51 PM
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Published On: May 05, 2008 04:51 PM