From the Perspective of the Church Greeter

It’s on almost every congregation’s “privilege list” I’ve ever seen. Lots of people sign up to perform this weekly duty because (let’s be honest) it doesn’t take a lot of time out of our schedules during the week. It’s a relatively easy job which simply requires that you arrive at services before everyone else begins arriving. 

Now don’t get me wrong…it’s a very important task which needs to be taken seriously. Meeting people at the door with a smile on your face and a warm greeting is very valuable, especially to those who may be visiting for the first time. Handing those who enter a bulletin and directing them to a class can make a difference as to whether or not they will return to your services. 

I was talking this last week with someone who had served as a “greeter” (less than a thousand miles from me) and she gave me some things to think about. She discussed it from the perspective of the greeter. Here are some of the things she noticed (and a few I have noticed when performing this task):

• It’s fairly easy to tell which people are happy to be coming to worship God. Now I know that is a judgment call, but from her perspective (and mine), facial expressions say a lot. Frowning faces and slouching shoulders don’t exactly say I’m happy to be here…especially when you are being greeted with a smile and an open door.
• Those entering on walkers and crutches, or sitting in a wheel chair, seem to be some of the happiest people to be able to assemble to worship God.  I am always humbled by those who physically struggle to make it to the services of the Lord and yet do so with happy hearts.
• It’s fairly easy to detect which young families with children have put a priority on the importance of coming together to worship God.  Everyone will be entering with a Bible in their hand if they are old enough to hold one. The children won’t look like they have been pulled from their beds at the last minute and forced to come for Bible class and worship. 
• Serving as the greeter does not make you the head of the complaint department.  Some folks enter the doors with a complaint on their tongue (had to park too far away, it’s hot/cold outside, are we ever going to get that parking lot fixed, etc.). 

The greeter who talked with me caused me to think about my behavior when I come to worship God. She was there for a special purpose – to help me feel welcome as I enter into the fellowship of those who have come together for the very special purpose of offering worship to God.

We all need to spend some time thinking about one very important fact…God needs to be glorified when I am a greeter and when I am being greeted.

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