A District Superintendent “incognito” challenges congregations to become more welcoming.
TAMARA WILLIAMS
Superintendent, Albion District
Seven years ago, when I was first appointed by Bishop Keaton to be the Albion District Superintendent, I decided to visit every church in the district for Sunday morning worship.
There were 70 churches at the time, and it took me 18 months to visit each one. Other than a general notice that I was doing this, I didn’t warn the pastor or anyone else that I was coming on a specific Sunday. I just appeared… “incognito”.
It was a highly effective way for me to get a sense of what visitors were experiencing at each church. Only two churches did an excellent job of welcoming me: Osseo UMC and Scotts UMC.
At Osseo, I was sought out by a young man who welcomed me, engaged me in conversation, and sat with me (in a way that was friendly, not creepy). Along the way, I learned that he was a recent convert to the faith and started attending Osseo UMC because they had truly welcomed and befriended him. He, in turn, was now doing that for me. (I hate to admit it, but none of the long-timers welcomed me like that young man did.)
They were phenomenal at Scotts UMC! First of all, someone (who didn’t know me) “yoo-hoo-ed” me from across the street when they saw me walking up the steps into the front of the church. Then they hurried across the street, caught up with me, and engaged me in conversation. But there’s more! When I entered the sanctuary, a group of women who were sitting together on one pew saw me, recognized that I was a newcomer, parted and made room for me right on the pew where they were sitting. They invited me to sit among them — which I did. That experience remains a source of joy to me, all these years later. In general, one of two things happened at the other 68 churches: either someone who knew me recognized me and welcomed me (which sort of blew the whole “incognito” thing) or a greeter said “good morning”, handed me a bulletin, and that was that.
At some of the churches, one or two friendly people would come over to where I was sitting to say good morning. But for the most part, they didn’t strike up a conversation. It amazed me how few asked me who I was, or where I came from, or what had brought me to their church that morning. I hate to tell you this, but I discovered that “church folk” on the Albion District and in other churches that I’ve visited both around Michigan and around the country, have this terrible habit. They say, “good morning,” without really making eye-contact and then immediately look beyond you. It’s really pretty awful to be greeted by someone who is already looking at the person behind you. Talk about feeling INVISIBLE. So, with all of this in mind, I really perked up and paid attention when our District Day speaker, the Rev. Dr. Anthony Hood, talked about something that his congregation has put into place that has really changed things: the EMAG Program – Every Member A Greeter.
“Regulars” at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church have been taught and trained in best practices for greeting and welcoming guests. So it’s no longer the job of the person standing at the door with bulletins to be solely responsible for greeting new folk who come through the door. It is now EVERYONE’S responsibility! EVERY member is a greeter. EVERY member now has the job to be on the look-out for potential newcomers, and to make them know they are welcome and appreciated. EMAG. It has made a huge difference at Scott Memorial UMC, where Rev. Hood serves. I suspect it could make a great impact in most congregations as well.
Last Updated on March 14, 2016