Challenge yourself to talk to people you don’t know well for the first three minutes after the service.
Our previous hospitality idea was the Circle of Ten, where we are encouraged to greet everyone who comes within a ten-foot range of us, multi-directionally. Greeting people can be kept simple: a smile, a handshake, a hello.
The Rule of Three goes one step further by engaging with others. This does not mean that you are limited to mingling with only three people.
Rather, the name of this hospitality idea is a reminder of time. We have approximately three minutes after the service to talk with our guests before they leave. Many people, when going someplace unfamiliar, aim to slip in and slip out. While more comfortable for the guest, it often means that we don’t even have the opportunity to realize that they were there. We would like to catch them before they slip out unnoticed.
Immediately after the service ends, beeline towards the new faces. They may have slipped in after our welcome time at the beginning of the service. Or they may have arrived long after the Greeters have left their posts. A final opportunity to welcome them comes at the conclusion of the service.
Everyone, old and young, who comes through our church doors has a story. We don’t know what led them to Henderson Highway Church for worship. However, we can ensure that they have an uplifting encounter with Christ. There are numerous chances for this during the music, the prayers, the giving, the praise, the children’s story, the message.
And through us.
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This is part of our Practicing Hospitality series. Visit the introduction page to read the other articles in the series.
