I’d recently done a short article titled “The 3-Minute Rule” with a simiple suggestion for teaching church members to welcome guests to church. (I’ve pasted that article at the bottom of this post.)

I just received an email from Dr. Tim Roehl with an additional idea you’re going to love to us. He offers simple, memorable questions that a church can use for the 3-Minute Rule for welcoming guests. Here’s his note:

“Just read your recent “3 Minute Rule” article… I have a simple “add” you might find useful. Here it is…

Here’s a “Game Plan” for those conversations, using the acronym “W*I*N”

W = Welcome…Weather (“Beautiful day today…”)…What’s your name?…Who did you come with?…

I = Interests, such as work, hobbies, kids, etc.

N = Needs. “How can we pray for you?”… “Is there any way we can serve you and your family?”

God’s best to you!

Tim Roehl”

www.ECHarvestministry.com
www.ACTS-CRM.org

Thanks, Dr. Roehl!

—————–

Fresh Ideas

The 3-Minute Rule

By Diana Davis

“If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary?” (Matthew 5:47)

 

Every day, he passes your church on the way to work. He finally got up his nerve to attend worship, but he’s not exactly certain what to wear or where to enter. He wonders if he’ll see familiar faces in the crowd. As the worship service begins, he falters clumsily, unsure about when to stand, unfamiliar with the format and the songs. This scenario probably occurs at your church weekly.

As the family of God—the church—our love for one another is vital and Scriptural. We are also commanded to love the lost—to love loud. Your greeting is a key part of making the evangelistic presentation.

Looking for a way to inspire church members to genuinely welcome those guests? My pastor, Jim Bohrer, has established what he calls the “3-minute rule” for leaders at our church. The rule helps alleviate apprehensive feelings of church guests. Pastor Bohrer emphasizes the plan in staff meetings and church leadership training. He reminds committee members, deacons and teachers. He complies with the rule himself, as an example to other leaders.  Here’s the 3-Minute Rule:

 

For three minutes immediately preceding the worship service and three minutes immediately after the service, leaders stop visiting with their friends and intentionally seek out guests or irregular attenders to welcome them warmly and chat for a few minutes, listening for needs, showing an interest, and answering questions.   

 

Simple. Effective. The power of a sincere, personal welcome is strong. Before music or preaching begins, guests are evaluating and deciding whether they will come back to your church. The people connection counts. A casual, friendly conversation can transform those awkward minutes into a venue for hospitality.  The 3-minute rule can be applied to your worship service, Bible study group, fellowship event or women’s ministry. As a leader in your church, would you sacrifice three minutes to welcome newcomers?

He’s conversing pleasantly with a friendly church member when the worship service begins. He’s glad he finally decided to meet God—and His people—at church today.

 

 

This Fresh Idea was posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 | Deacon Wives, Ideas For Churches, Recent Articles.