First Corinthians 12:28 calls it the ministry of helps. You are helping the pastors fulfill the vision God has given them by making those who come through the doors of the church feel at home.
You help people feel joy. You help people feel love. You help people feel needed. You help people feel wanted. You help people feel sincerity. You help people feel important. You help people feel peace and comfort. You help people feel, most of all, welcomed.
Greet the Visitors
As a greeter in your church it is your primary responsibility to let visitors know they are welcome. As a visitor, they are a guest of your church. When they pass through the church doors, it is your responsibility to see that they are served and that their needs and concerns are met. It is your responsibility to see that they are comfortable and treated hospitably.
"But how do you know if someone is a visitor?" That is what I asked the Holy Spirit one day. Do you know what He said? He said, "Visitors aren't hard to spot. Ninety-nine percent of them will step into the building, take six or seven steps, then stop to look around."
So, when you see someone go through this routine, you can feel confident in walking over to them and saying, "I bet you're a visitor, aren't you?" Of course, they will say something like, "Well, how did you know?" Then you tell them, "Well, I've been doing this for years," and smile.
Then, you can take them by the arm and show them around the building. While you are walking with them down the hall, you can carry on a conversation with them about the church and tell them about what God is doing in the church.
Tell them stories about how the church began. Such as how the pastor was in his bedroom when God woke him up in the middle of the night and told him, "I'm going to make you a pastor, and I'm going to send you to Springfield, Missouri. I'm going to raise up a great work there, and I'm going to send people from everywhere - north, south, east and west to become a part of the vision I have given to you."
As you walk along give them an opportunity to talk about themselves and their family. Listen carefully to all they say. If you ask them a question, make sure it isn't imposing. In doing this, you will help them feel valued.
Another way to locate visitors is to scan the back of the church just before the service begins. If you see a mother standing up with a baby in her arms, she is most probably a visitor. So, walk over to her, and let her know that you are a greeter at the church.
Talk with her a little while to put her at ease then tell her about the nursery that is available and encourage her to take her child there. Hopefully, by then, she will feel comfortable enough to follow you to the nursery and leave her baby in the care of the nursery workers, so that she can enjoy the service.
At the end of the service, pay close attention, if they announce the visitors or have them stand up. If you see someone stand up who slipped through the door that you didn't know was a first time visitor, then make it a point to go up to that person after the service is over and tell them how good it was to have them here. Ask them if they have any questions then answer them as best you can.
By doing this, you will make them feel at home, and they will want to come back the next week.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers