In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper talk with Danny Franks, the connections pastor at The Summit Church in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina about the importance of amazing guest services at church and how they are part of the ministry. At many churches greeters, parkers, and ushers are just a rotating group of volunteers who are sort of an add-on ministry. Danny explains why they are essential to reaching people with the good news of the gospel.

* What exactly are “guest services”?

* Why are guest services in the church so important?

* Can anybody do guest services in the church?

* How do you take an inwardly focused church and help them be aware of guests’ needs?

* What are ways you recruit, develop, and retain good guest service volunteers?

BEST QUOTES

“Often times guest services fall under ‘other duties as assigned’ in the church.”

“Other times guest services are shock and awe.”

“The reason we honor our guests isn’t to make much of ourselves in the church but to make much of the gospel.”

“The gospel is offensive, but nothing else should be.”

“We want to clear the way for our pastor to preach and to preach unhindered.”

“The things that tend to bring us comfort in the church tend to make our guests uncomfortable.”

“If somebody is going to be made uncomfortable let that be us, not our guests.”

“Think about guests in the church the same way you think about guests in your home.”

“Guests services sets the stage and creates the environment for people walking into worship.”

“You need people who are good with people and can make others feel welcome.”

“This isn’t just about being friendly. It’s about taking intentional steps to help people move from being on the outside to on the inside.”

“We’re talking about a gift of hospitality, a servant mindset.”

“Begin with the end in mind.”

“Talk like guests are in the room as you lead.”

“This is part of our mission. Our mission is to reach people.”

“If you’re trying to birth something sometimes that means other things have to die.”

“It takes honest humility to ask what is present because we’re comfortable and what is present because it’s necessary.”

“Please don’t ever have your guests stand up in service.”

“To often we train for the “what” and don’t train for the “why”.

“To retain a volunteer they need to feel like they’re part of a grander vision.”

“The goal isn’t to progress people to the next level; it’s to land people at the right level.”

“We try to help people see the role they’re playing in someone’s eternity.”

“You never know where someone is coming from who is just two seats down from you.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Danny’s Blog

Guest Services Video Training