The Characteristics of an Excellent Greeter.

Last week we talked about the “Ten Marks of a Friendly Church”.  A copy of that article can be found in this blog.  I wanted to follow up this week with the “Eight Marks of an Excellent Greeter or Guest Servant”.  The term greeter is one we are all familiar with, but the term Guest Servant is one we hear less often.  It is, however, a term I believe we need to adopt.  The objective of the person who greets in our church on Sundays needs to be to serve those they meet. 

Many churches are satisfied if they can get a warm body to stand at the door and hand out bulletins.  I believe we can and ought to do better.  It is reported that a Disney World employee/cast member will be required to receive 32 hours of training to be qualified to take tickets.  What we do is infinitely more important than getting people to go along with “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride”.

While there is no one personality-type that will make a great guest servant, here are eight things that a guest servant can do to serve the Lord more effectively.

Smile. 

In certain cultures a smile is indicative of a sense of shame, but in our culture a smile has the potential to change the atmosphere.  Guest servants need to be conscientious to smile.  I heard a great story about Truit Cathy of “Chick-Fil-A”.  At a grand opening, one of the employees was struggling with the rush.  She was not smiling as she had been coached.   Rather than tell her to smile for the customers, Mr. Cathy would come by from moment to moment and say things like:  “You have a beautiful smile”, “You look so nice when you smile”.  “Your smile brightens your beautiful face.”  Before long she was smiling all the time.  Encouraged smiles are more real than those we plaster on. 

Speak first. 

Guest servants need to take the initiative while greeting.  More than simply being at their post, they need to look for opportunities to serve.  Rather than reply, be the first to speak. Rather than wait inside, open the door for guests.  Rather than hand out bulletins, engage the guest in conversation.  Never wait for a guest to instigate the friendship, always be the first to reach out. 

Open personality. 

Get the right people in the right place.  Some folks should not be greeters. Often we will settle for anyone who is willing.  Ralph (not his real name) was a member of a church I served.  He wanted to be a greeter because he wanted to meet pretty girls.  Yes, he was that creepy.  Even if a person is not a creeper, he may not be a great guest servant.  This is not too difficult to figure out.  Look for people who are friendly and warm, people who set others at ease and someone you look forward to speaking to. 

Focus on the guest

I have said before and will repeat that Sunday morning is the best time to ignore our dearest friends.  We have a tendency to want to use Sunday morning as a time to reconnect with our church friends, often to the exclusion of our guests. 

One Sunday our church had a number of guests visit-three couples that knew each other and were looking for a church.  I was a friend of a couple of the men.  After the service, several couples from the church offered to take my family and me to lunch.  I suggested that they invite these new couples and I would join them on my own dime.  Being the preacher, I got away late and arrived at the restaurant to find the five church couples seated together with space saved for my family.  I asked, “Where are the visitors?”  The reply hit me like a rock.  “We didn’t have space for everyone; they’re in the back room.”  Yes, the church club sat together while guests were told in not very subtle ways, “We don’t care about you.”

This is an extreme example, but serves to teach the lesson; Focus on the guest.

Be prepared

Guest servants need to be prepared; here are a few steps that can help: 

·      Be at your post early.  This helps you be at ease in your responsibilities.

·      Know the information about the church.  For instance, where things are and how to access these services.  You may want to have helpers who can escort guests to where they need to go.

·      Good grooming helps you with your confidence, which will help you RELAX.  Back off the coffee; you can drink later.  Please have breath mints.  I was once greeted by a man that must have eaten collard greens, sardines, and contents of the litter box for breakfast. 

·      Look like you are anticipating a great day, don’t look bored, rather give your guest your undivided attention.  A great way to do that is to maintain good eye contact.

Go the Extra mile

Guest servants must take seriously the command of our Lord to go the extra mile.  Guests are going to be inconvenient; they know nothing about our church buildings and they may have no connection to anyone in the church.  Some may need extra help.  Guest servants need to be the kind of folks who like to give that help. 

A single mom approached the church building.  Services had already started and the greeting couple wanted to go find their place in the service, but instead waited for the late arriver.   Once in the door they realized the baby had a dirty diaper that was leaking out.  The five-year-old boy must have had rocket fuel for breakfast and the three year old was insecure, cross, and had become a Klingon, refusing to let go of mom. 

The greeting couple did more than give her a bulletin and point her in the right direction.   First, the husband of the team, engaged the little boy in some playful fun, a simple magic trick in your pocket can work wonders.  With the little guy intrigued they were off.  The wife of the greeting team carried the messy baby so mom could comfort the three year old.  While mom checked the two older kids into children’s church, the baby’s diaper and outfit was changed.  The couple invited the young mom to sit with them in worship and join them for lunch.

They missed sitting with their usual friends.  But what is the likelihood that mom will return to visit that church again?

Discerning. 

People don’t just visit a church.   If an unchurched person comes to church for a visit “out of the blue” you can bet there is a pretty good reason for it.  When people are hurting, guest servants need to have the discernment and the sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit to be prepared and able to minister.  Guest servants need to be in the habit of praying for insight so that when hurting people arrive, they will be ready to serve them more than a bulletin.

Has a spiritual appointment book

Related to the previous, if I were looking for guest servants I would look for people who are constantly having “Divine Appointments”.  I would look for the people who seem to be meeting folks who have spiritual needs and then ministering to them.

If a person is beginning to seek the Lord, if the Holy Spirit is prompting them and convicting them to find a place where they can hear the good news, which do you, think is more likely.  That the Holy Spirit will lead them to a church where they will be greeted by an indifferent greeter or one that will be willing to love and serve them into the family of God?