Meet the Greeters

The smiling folks above are our Greeters. As part of the Involvement Ministry, they strive to help us be what Jordan, in a recent sermon, called “A Welcoming Church.”
Our “greeters” matter. The ministry is much more than handing out bulletins or opening doors. It is hospitality. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to “practice hospitality” (Rom. 12:13), including and especially to strangers (Heb. 13:2).
If we are the family of God, then our building is His home. Every person who enters should experience the warmth of a welcoming fellowship. A friendly smile and sincere greeting, or even directions to a classroom, can relieve someone’s anxiety.
Long before the opening prayer, guests may already be deciding whether or not this is a place where they feel noticed, or valued. The life and death of Jesus says loudly to each living soul, “You matter to me.” The group pictured above is our organized attempt to say exactly that to our visitors.
But you don’t have to be “official” to be part of this ministry, just ask Don Wood, dooropener at the north entrance, or Pam Green, stationed at the northeast auditorium entrance, both self-appointed and faithful greeters.
To them and others like them, I say, just keep doing what you already do: welcoming visitors in His name.