Feb

10 Ways To Help Your Out of Town Speakers Feel Welcome At Your Church

Some people think that speakers and psalmists who travel around the country have it made. They are living the life – come to town, speak or sing for a ministry, pack their bags and on to the next engagement.

While it can be exciting to travel around the country speaking, preaching or singing, it can also be a little intimidating. Think about it. You go to a church where you have never been and you are at the mercy of people you have never met. You don’t know how they are going to treat you and if you don’t require a certain honorarium, you don’t know how they will pay you.

If you treat your guests well, they will want to come back to your ministry again. AND they will tell their friends in ministry what good hosts you are. That’s a plus for your ministry.

Here are ten things you can do to make your guests feel welcome and confident that your ministry will treat them well.

Before coming to your church give them a staff contact and cell phone in case something unexpected comes up
Be on time to meet your guest at the airport, either at baggage claim or at the end of the terminal
Pick up your guest in a clean car that is roomy and has plenty of trunk space
Send two people to the airport. A driver to stay with the car, and a ministry assistant the meet the guest. Make sure the driver and ministry assistant is familiar with the city and won’t get lost or misdirected on the way to the hotel
Put your guest in a full service hotel
Give your guest a welcome packet that includes a welcome letter from the pastor; the name of their ministry assistant and phone number; information about the church and; an itinerary for their stay. The packet should also include a daily meal allotment at the hotel; meals that may be served at the church and/or if you will be taking them to a restaurant for any meals
Make a nice hospitality basket that includes bottled water, fruit and snacks
Be on time to pick your guest up for the service where they will minister (the guest may be late, but you should still be on time). Call your guest from the house phone to let them know that you have arrived
Have a parking space reserved and someone to greet your guest upon arrival and escort them to the pastor’s office or to your ministry’s green room
Provide a fruit tray, beverages and snacks while your guest is waiting to minister

It goes without saying, that everyone should be friendly. Engage your guest in conversation but don’t pry into their personal lives or become too familiar.

If you follow these or similar guidelines, your guest should feel comfortable and welcome at your ministry.

Related Reading

How to Host A Guest Speaker

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