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How would you react to this sign?
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We encountered the sign at right in a parish we visited while traveling. There were two on the back of each pew. Apparently this is part of a new Parish Hospitality effort designed to not over-welcome guests. This tactic combined effectively with no bulletin, no greeting, no smiles or eye contact, no service books and liturgy which begins 20 minutes late. (Actually the sermon was pretty good.)
(We would love to know more of the discussion leading to the decision to post the signs.)
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Tell the neighbors they are
always welcome. But the real welcome comes from people. The people in
this church lived the sign. They were friendly and welcoming.
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A Few Hospitality Practices
Let's review shall we.
- Rebuking people is rarely considered good hospitality.
- Telling people what not to do is not a good starting place for "welcome".
Here are some things that are good to do:
Attractive outdoor sign telling people they are always welcome. However regardless of what the sign says the real welcome comes from people. Always Expect Guests - You don't know when they are coming. Be ready. "We've been waiting for you!" Smiling greeter at the door helping guests get their bearings. (Bulletin, service books, rest rooms locations.)
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Offer a warm greeting.
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Website - The ultimate first impression. Up to date; clear driving directions, with photos that give a flavor of parish life; welcome message from pastor. YOU are the Greeter - Regardless of the whether your parish has designated greeters always remember that you are also the best greeter. Make eye contact, smile, say welcome. Invite guests to coffee after church. Move Over - Don't make guests climb over you to get to a seat... err... place to stand. Or glare when they stand in "your spot". Provide service books -- Help guests find their place in the book.  Literature - Have a small packet of info or parish tri-fold available on your literature rack explaining your parish and its ministries. Explain (Nicely) Expectations - Perhaps offer a tasteful piece on liturgical expectations. ("Why we stand during worship.") NOT an Inquisition - When people do stay for coffee introduce yourself, welcome them -- but go easy on the interrogation questions: Why are you here? Are you Orthodox? Are you (insert ethnic group)? Candle Desk - Often parishes have no greeter but do have a dedicated candle desk staffer. Remember YOU are the point of first impression. Decouple yourself from the high finance of your important candle transactions to notice, acknowledge, smile and welcome guests. But you knew that -- right? Right?
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The fourth annual Small Parish Forum, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Western PA and the Diocese of the Midwest will be held from 3:00 Thursday July 13 thru noon on Saturday July 15 at St. John the Baptist Church New Kensington PA.
Despite being labor intensive, one reason we prefer the Pledge Method as a stewardship approach for most parishes, is that it provides a clear opportunity for 
During a recent parish visit, we were asked at coffee hour to offer a few spur of the moment/ top of mind suggestions for the parish to "help them." Before responding we asked what they saw as their most important challenges. Not surprisingly the reply was M&M - "
A retired senior priest we hardly know contacted us to say that as he regularly visited a variety of parishes he was disappointed by what, to him, was a generally low quality of preaching. He suggested we develop an article about same.
What if you could make parish council (PC) meetings 2X more efficient? What would that look like? If you could get the same results in half the time what would you do with that time? Leave early? Or (better) discuss meaningful topics that you never seem to have time for under your current system. 
