Hospitality Team Talks of "Culture Change"

The Brighton First Hospitality
Team has read this book. This and
other VCI books are available
at the church.

Brighton First Hospitality Team members have been visiting other area church worship services and taking note of welcoming practices. At a recent meeting they agreed that it is not only the practices that make a church welcoming, but the assumptions and attitudes of its congregation members.

Larry Job, chairman of the Hospitality Team wrote, "We are welcoming to visitors because we, as the church, have a passion for God and a passion for people. We are not welcoming just to grow revenue and number of members."

The group recently read the book The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century by Bishop Michael Conyers and Doug Anderson. The authors talk about "the need to warm up", like for a race, creating a free and friendly space, and viewing visitors as guests. How does Brighton First measure up in this area?

The Hospitality Team is looking at increasing our welcoming presence. Several ideas have been shared, including enhancing the usher ministry, renovating our coffee offerings and fellowship time, training in "active listening" for congregation members, and including greeters in our parking lot. They are also considering ways to help our guests to be more comfortable in worship, from the moment they enter the sanctuary to when they leave.

The Hospitality Team hopes to have much of its recommendations in place by August 1, so that it can lead in implementing them in preparation for September worship services.