How to Assimilate New People

Shirley and I visited Porter Mountain Fellowship in Lakeside, AZ. About 50 attended. The pastor was on his honeymoon. We were greeted at the door. No names, just welcome! Several regulars said hello. One introduced himself and we got into a conversation about where I was from – the Deep South, not Southern California.

After the service no one spoke, though my wife chatted briefly with one woman she thought she had seen in a restaurant the night before.

This three year old church is going to have difficulties unless it learns to greet one-timers with the same passion as locals. Otherwise it will grow to become a local church club – “no girls allowed.”

This makes me want to suggest some ways we at First Southern can better relate to our guests. Here are the steps:

·         Welcome them.

·         Introduce yourself.

·         They will usually reciprocate.

·         Ask where they are from.

·         Respond if you can identify, i.e., you are from the same state or have been there, or know someone.

·         Let the conversation grow naturally.

·         If they seem uneasy, back off graciously.

·         Tell them to make themselves at home.

o    Answer questions about the church.

o    Identify problems they might have had.

o    Get their name again.

o    Invite them back.

o    Show true interest in them.

After the service follow up with anyone you greeted.