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In January, 2010, the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Richardson, embarks on a courageous journey of making God's love real. . . in practice. |
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Not just on Sundays, not just special times, but every day practices. What is a practice? Something we do repeatedly, consistently in order to improve in those areas we need to improve. |
Christian Hospitality is the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.
Radical describes that which is drastically different from ordinary practices, outside the normal, that which exceeds expectations and goes the second mile.
Practicing Radical Hospitality means we offer the absolute utmost of ourselves, our creativity, and our abilities to offer the gracious invitation and welcome of Christ to others. We pray, plan, work to invite others and help them feel welcome and to support them in their spiritual journeys.
Do you have an idea or suggestion about one of the Five Practices? Your ideas are valued.
CLICK HERE TO OFFER YOUR THOUGHTS.
Thoughts, Ideas, and Suggestions
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WHOLE CHURCH Provide more visitor parking closer to Central Expwy entrance Offer small groups for new members
Offer specific education for people of different ethnicities Have luncheons; be more personal; smile to all; speak to all Contract with catering service that is available to cook for church events Be a church home to UTD students Offer and promote events for the community - concerts, programs, seasonal festivals, motivational speakers - more as a service than for our own members/kids Meet diverse family structures with evening VBS Have a church t-shirt so it can be worn around town As individuals, practice hospitality outside the church; invite new people to our church Remember people's names Help enlighten/train church's older population to integrate both younger and older members' needs as we rapidly change and grow (Who Moved My Cheese kind of thing) Send busses to pick up homebound members Use database to reach out to members who have stopped coming Provide more information to guests and community about our church Develop strategies/skills to find friendly, comfortable ways to invite people to come with us to church Work to eliminate hypocrisy in our Christian witness Would like to hear more missionaries speak of their experiences Have someone available to answer the phone SIGNAGE Improve/increase signs directing people to visitor parking Add sign that says "Welcome Desk" Add more obvious signs thoughout the buildings directing people to Welcome Desks Add information screen behind the Welcome Center desk More signage/ message boards around campus to list events, meetings, locations, dates, times |
WORSHIP Greet one another before or during worship/ Pass the Peace/ possibly put on screens before worship begins if not during service Pass attendance registration books back across the pew, look at names, make an effort to meet/ greet those you don't know, introduce yourself, look them in the eye, send them a note Invite/encourage people during worship to get involved in other activities Have pastors greet at different doors when congregation exits Welcome new members - make a point of it since they are at the front, not at an exit Somehow allow for additional prayer concerns during service (Have a service where people) Sit in different places; introduce yourself to others Offer assistance to parents who might need help with many children in church - "mother's helper"
Hard to recognize visitors Use nametags in the summer WELCOMING MINISTRY Deliver bread to new people; Visit first-time visitors Continue having greeters at doors Allow/encourage young people to volunteer as greeters and at the Welcome Centers Suggest welcoming ministry volunteers say, "I'm glad you're here." Volunteers at Welcome Desk, ushers, greeters focus on job, not visiting with each other Volunteers wear "Ask Me" buttons Have the greeter system set up to recognize the new family or single parent who walks in the door with children and doesn't know where to take the children; have greeters who can walk them to the nursery or children's area, not just tell them how to get there Volunteers escort visitors to class or where they want to go Provide/ send postcards to new homeowners in the area to say, "we noticed you were new" After first call to visitors/guests, who follows up in subsequent weeks? Get visitors and new members involved right away Assign a shepherd/ mentor family/ church buddy to continuing guests/ new members (adults & youth) to offer a personal invitation to activities, offer ride, help get involved in small group Have off-campus orientation sessions |
SUNDAY SCHOOL/ SMALL GROUPS In class, use name tags for members and guests Face each other in class Have class retreats/ socials/ projects Call visitors/guests/new members to invite them to class Check on current members Invite people outside the class to join in class events Meet diverse family structures with single parent Sunday school classes Be sensitive to newcomers without prior Christian knowledge/ being alone without spouse/ not knowing routines Sponsor, plant and mentor a new class (1-2 individuals or couples) Start a new Sunday school class or small group that covers the basics of faith, Bible, and church traditions Make Sunday school business cards to pass out to neighbors, co-workers, new members, and guests List contact person for each class on website, brochures Highlight class events on website, bulletin, First Connections, etc. Hold Sunday school/ organization open house event Invite another class to breakfast Start Sunday School news again to help people find a class that fits them FROM THE CHILDREN Smile; give hugs; give presents; share Invite someone to sit with you Introduce new people to your friends Give cards and letters to sick people, soldiers, and grandparents Listen Volunteer |
