With all the sensitivity that can be mustered, it has to be said on a regular basis that it’s so important for folk who are part of a local church to want to engage visitors and newcomers before and after the service.
Spending thirty or forty minutes talking to exactly the same person each week could be done any other time through the week (probably) and as a missional community our purpose to be together is to worship God and help people meet Jesus, not simply catch up with each other.
Look around, and if you see someone you don’t know, they’re the ones to say hello to tomorrow.
From a good list on being a welcoming church by Nick Batzig.
Go out of your way to talk with someone you have not yet met. This can seem awkward–especially for introverts–if you are not in the practice of doing it, but it gets easier and more comfortable with practice. There are times when people in a church have not met someone who has been coming for many months. Obviously you would not want to go up to them and say, “Is this your first time here?” Rather, introduce yourself and say something like, “Hi, I don’t think I’ve met you all yet. My name is _____.” After they introduce themselves to you, ask them how long they’ve been coming to the church. Then ask them about themselves–how long have they lived in the area, where they work, where they are from originally, etc. I have been told that these sorts of questions are things only Americans ask, but they help break the awkwardness of meeting someone new and they open the door for you to get to know others. Also, remember to be transparent about your own life if they ask questions in return.
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