Full-time travel as an active Latter Day Saint family provides us with plenty of experience visiting new congregations. Each week, we walk into a new building, meet new people, and visit new classes. We’ve had all kinds of experiences and we’ve learned a few things about effective ways to welcome people into church. Some of our suggestions are specific to the LDS faith, but I’m sure this can be easily adapted to the particulars of any faith.

Say Hello

Introduce yourself. There are plenty of ways for this, and you’ll likely find ways that are comfortable for you. “Hi, my name is Sam. Are you visiting today?” “I’m not sure I recognize you. My name is Sam.”

Introducing yourself is particularly easy if you happen to find yourself sitting nearby.

It is a fairly common practice in Sunday School and in Priesthood and Relief Society meetings to welcome visitors and ask them to introduce themselves. When this happens, it becomes easier for other members in the meeting to strike up a conversation. Leaders, please don’t forget this. If you’ve been talking to a visitor and are sitting by them, you might find it easy to introduce them to the rest of the group.

During the last 6 months or so, it has become a common practice for the Full-time Missionaries to greet new folks at the door of the chapel just prior to Sacrament Meeting. In one case, we even found ourselves being greeted by the Bishop as we entered the chapel. In these situations, I feel comfortable and at ease.

Guide Them

Visitors are not going to know where different meetings are held. This can be particularly confusing on 5th Sundays or other days with an irregular meeting schedule. Pointing out the location of Sunday School can take the worry away, and even encourage them to stay if they were unsure. If they have kids, point out the direction of the primary room. If you can, walk with them and show them the way.

Visitors unfamiliar with the meeting structure might not even know there are other meetings. Offering to help and guide can help them feel accepted. In one ward, a mother with kids approached after Sacrament Meeting, and asked if they could show the kids where the primary room was.

One time that is frequently forgotten is the transition to Priesthood and Relief Society after Sunday School and after Priesthood opening exercises. Often the next meeting is in the same room, but it helps to know. If you see someone new, or if a visitor is introduced, guide them to the next room after the meeting.

Invite Them

If you are aware of any activities in the following week, invite the visitors to attend. Even if they are traveling, they may still be in town. Even if they can’t attend, they will appreciate the invite. We’ve been invited to after church ‘linger longer’ meals, BBQs, and even service projects. Firesides are another great activity. If they have kids, they may also be interested in youth activities during the week.

You’ll notice that all of these points involve being brave and opening your mouth. It isn’t as difficult as you think, and the benefit you can bring to someone else’s life can be profound. As active members, we don’t depend on the welcome-ness of people at church to keep us coming back. For visitors of other faiths, recently moved-in families, or others returning to church after time away, a welcoming environment can be very encouraging and helpful.