3 Places to Greet Easter Guests This Weekend

The greeters at your church have an important job this weekend as they greet many Easter guests. But what does this role entail?

By Danny Franks

The greeters at your church have a tremendously important job this weekend. Those greeters who serve on the sidewalk, at the doors that lead from the outside to the lobby, and at the doors from the lobby to the auditorium will likely encounter many Easter guests.

So if you lead these volunteers or you’re one of them yourself, what do you actually do to greet guests?

Sidewalk greeters

These volunteers are likely to feel the most awkward about what they’re doing. When I say sidewalk, I’m referring to any greeter standing outside who isn’t a member of your church’s parking team or holding a door. Let’s be honest: You’re just standing outside at random locations, talking to people as they walk by.

“One key way you can serve is by identifying first-time guests and helping transition them from guest parking to the first-time guest area.” — @LetMeBeFranks Share on X

Obviously greeting those you know isn’t as much of a stretch. It’s watching for those whom you don’t know or maybe don’t recognize. One key way you can serve is by identifying first-time guests and helping transition them from guest parking to the first-time guest area. That interaction is a chance to have the first conversation with a guest and walk with them to the area.

Door holders

The door holders from the sidewalk to the lobby signal the correct entrance. As they greet guests, they make sure guests know where to go. At most of our churches, the entry doors from the outside are either large, imposing wooden doors or heavily tinted glass doors. Either way, guests don’t always know what’s going to be waiting for them on the other side. I’ve attended churches where I swung open that wooden door and found myself immediately in the auditorium with a few dozen sets of eyeballs staring back at me.

That’s why this team gains maximum improvement with just 18 inches. That’s about what it takes for a volunteer to move from the inside of the building to the outside. It’s the difference between standing behind a door and standing in front of a door. That’s the gap between a guest’s scary unknown and a greeter’s friendly face.

Greeters should stand outside, not behind the church door. That 18-inch move is the difference between a guest's scary unknown and a greeter's friendly face. — @LetMeBeFranks Share on X

It’s certainly not convenient for you as a volunteer. It means you have to serve in the cold, heat, rain, snow, and humidity. You’re giving up your comfort for the comfort of others. But when you can buy a guest’s comfort for the cost of 18 inches, I’d say that’s a pretty smart trade.

Auditorium greeters

This is probably what you envision when you think about the role of ushers. But they’re more than ushers. They’re an extension of the guest services team. They have a variety of jobs. They may hand out worship guides or ink pens. And they work with the seating team leader to decide when the doors open and when they close. For an auditorium with multiple entry points, they help direct traffic to the areas with the most open seats.

“Think about your church’s layout and determine the best approach to help people get from outside to inside and from inside the lobby to the auditorium for your Easter services.” — @LetMeBeFranks Share on X

During the service, the auditorium entry member can pull double duty by manning the doors from the inside of the auditorium, making sure that anyone who gets up to leave has assistance getting out.

Your greeters are an important part of the guest experience at your church. Think about your church’s layout and determine the best approach to help people get from outside to inside and from inside the lobby to the auditorium for your Easter services.

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.

This article was originally published on MinistryGrid.com and adapted from the FREE Easter Preparation Guide. Click here to get your free guide and equip your church for follow up with Easter Sunday guests.