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Is Your Church Ready for the Holidays? 

Could your guest experience use a little pizzazz this Christmas? Do you keep putting last year’s plan on repeat? Put the wreath in the worship center. Create a program for your special service. Do a few Facebook ads. Order some candles. If you have tactics that are effective, embrace them! However, we’d encourage you to spend a few minutes dreaming about how to make this year even better. Not necessarily bigger or more expensive - just adding a little fresh thinking.

Here are a few fun ideas to help your guests feel welcome and energized by spending time with your congregation:

1. Share the hosting plan with your family: In the midst of the holidays, sometimes even easygoing people can get a little persnickety. December is a whirlwind, so we tighten our grip to gain a sense of control over anything, even if it’s where we sit during the Christmas musical. (Are all the front row seats marked with the coats of your members?) Remind the congregation that you’re all hosting guests this season - in homes and in our church home. When we prep for guests at home, we roll out the red carpet. Let’s do the same at church! Encourage people to reach out and “host” those around them, especially people they don’t know. Put others first and make it friendly.

2. Put out your Christmas welcome mat: In the midst of a busy season, we sometimes see churches who forget to update their website or social media with Christmas opportunities, stories and highlights. Your website is your welcome mat. Make sure your guest information is updated and easy to find.

3. Invite everyone to pitch in: Around Christmas, we tend to be more generous with giving and serving. While you want to encourage community involvement, remind people they can also step into a short-term role of service at the church. Recruit extra greeters/ushers who can help guests find children’s classes and a seat in the worship service. Encourage those who are great at hospitality to help with fun, themed refreshments for services or special events. Invite those who are willing to brave the elements to welcome arriving guests in the parking lot. Let them be creative and make the most out of their role! Want to wear a sweater with Christmas lights on it? Perfect!

4. Make it interactive for kids: We’ve all been there. When kids get bored, it’s hard for parents to fully participate in services. And yet, children are one of the sheer joys of the Christmas season. Help the full church family worship together by offering simple activity packs for kids filled with crayons, inexpensive coloring books or sheets, craft ornaments, stickers, glow sticks or even a simple snack like Cheerios or cookies.

5. Simple acts of love: What can your church do to give back during the Christmas season? Write notes to families who are spending the holidays in the hospital? Encourage those in assisted living or serving in the military? Most guests would love a simple opportunity to spread kindness. Offer stations where guests can make a quick card to be sent to encourage someone else in the community or around the world. Or let guests know that if they visit your Welcome Center, you’ll donate $1 on their behalf to a great community cause.

6. Family photos: Your church looks great at Christmas and so do your guests. Why not offer a photo opp? They usually end up taking selfies in front of the trees in your lobby, so help them out. Offer to take photos and send them to attendees. This is a great chance to invite them back in January! Want to make it even simpler? Recruit a volunteer to take family photos using guests’ phones so no one gets left out of the photo.

7. When can we do this again?: What are the next steps for your guests? Come back for a Parent’s Night Out? New Year’s Eve? A new sermon series? Financial classes after the holidays? As you plan your event programs or stage announcements, remember to invite guests to another opportunity.

8. Walk them to the door: At home, we walk our guests to the door when they leave. We get their coats, thank them for coming, etc. At church, it’s easy to miss this detail. Find a few greeters or staff members who are willing to linger and say goodbye to guests. This also offers them a chance for a personal interaction or last-minute questions.