We want new kids and teens to visit our church, but how good are we at helping them feel wanted?
Most of the time, little kids fit right into a new program. Mom drops off Aiden and within five minutes, he’s playing in the block corner with two other kids, laughing as if they’ve been friends forever.
Likewise, Olivia sits down at the coloring table, announces to the other kids how much she likes the color blue and begins chatting away.
But as kids get older, many of them become shyer or more self-conscious and fitting into a new situation is a challenge.
How do we make them feel at home?
1. Learn their names. Make an effort to learn their names and one or two facts about them. Write them down. Put them on your smart phone note-taking-app or email yourself. Before the next meeting, review your notes so you’re ready to great them with a friendly hello.
2. Make things clear. “Remember, if you want to go to Sam’s on Friday, you need to see Chris by the end of the night,” makes perfect sense to your regular kids, but not to that new teen who just walked in the door. If you have new kids present, expain in detail. “Remember, we’re going out to Sam Parker’s farm on Saturday for a hayride. You’re all invited. Chris, raise your hand. That’s Chris. He can give you the necessary permission slip and tell you what you need to know. He’ll be waiting by the door after we’re through here.”
3. Don’t put a new kid at stage center. That means don’t make him stand up while everyone turns and stares or ask him an intro question in front of the other kids. (Sometimes asking the person who brought a guest to introduce him/her is ok, but use your judgment.)
4. Don’t put a new kid on the spot. He might not have any idea who Noah is or where to find John 3:16 (whatever that is) in the Bible. So don’t quiz him or make him look up a verse or ask him to pray.
5. Bring extra copies. Are you doing a lesson from the Trek or Journey books? Make sure he has a copy he can use for the night. (Maybe a couple spares for just this purpose.)
6. Let him stay with his/her friend. If the guest has come with a friend, allow them to stay together. Rework your teams so you don’t have to separate them.
7. Match him up with a friendly kid to stick with him throughout the evening. Select your most outgoing kids and work with them to be good “mentors” for the new kids (If the new kid doesn’t come with a friend.) The “mentor” makes sure the guest knows where to go and what to do.
8. Explain where things are. “We start in this room, but later we’ll be moving to the gym. By the way, the restrooms are down the hall, but we ask that you don’t leave the room without telling your leader.”
9. Give them a reason to come back. “Red team did great tonight. Ethan, I think your quick speed added to that. If you guys win again next week, there will be a cool prize.” Or break off your lesson at a suspenseful part.
10. Make sure you say “good-bye.” “Ethan, it was great to have you here tonight. We truly hope we see you again next week.”
What do you do at your church to welcome guests?
