Who Are the Real Greeters at Your Church?

I have the privilege of speaking in many different churches in any given year. It is a great blessing and time of learning for me. One of the health indicators of a church that I look at is the demographics of who speaks to me while I am at the church.

In my home church of Grace Community Church in Centennial, Colorado, I am spoiled. I do not go a Sunday without some absolutely amazing friends hunting me down for a hug or to say something encouraging to me. This group is far from what you would call my peers. It starts as young as Sierra and Jacob who are 6 and 4.We have been buddies for almost four years. The group includes Sam, Paul and Gracie who are in college, high school and grade school. On the other end of the spectrum are Dale and Velma and Neal and Joy. In between is virtually every age-group in the church and they are my church family. I think it is a vital sign of the health of Grace.

Regularly, I study the demographics of who speaks to me during my time in churches where I am given the opportunity to speak or teach. It is a great indicator of the overall health of nearly every church family.

Yesterday, Evergreen Christian Community provided a good look at the health of the church family. The age range of the men and women who spoke directly to me was incredible. Mr. Joel will turn 98 this week. He specifically stopped to introduce himself and thank me for being at the church. On the lower end of the age range a young guy who I think was about 6 walked up and just said “Hi.” It was clear that he knew this was his church and he felt it important to be sure that I knew it as well. The age range of both the men and women were between Mr. Joel and the young man.

There are several reasons why this is important.

First, it indicates what I call “home ownership.” The members of the church family feel that this is their home, and they want guests to feel comfortable in the same way a person would walk into their house.

Second, it indicates that they feel part of the team. It is not only the greeter’s responsibility to greet but also the church family and, as part of the church, they greet.

Third, the age range indicates an intergenerational environment that is extremely healthy. It speaks volumes about the authority and responsibility felt by each person for “their” church.

This is true of any church. When you have guests, stand back and observe who speaks to them in your church. Is it only the designated ones who are obligated to say something to them; or do you see men, women, young adults and children of every age engage them because they want them to feel comfortable in their house? Who are the true greeters at your church?