Becoming a Welcoming Church

Most church members don’t see their churches clearly.

In almost all of Thom Rainer’s consultations, church members perceive their church to be friendly. But as he surveyed guests, he found that the guests typically saw church members as unfriendly. The perception chasm existed because the members were indeed friendly . . . to one another.

The guests felt like they crashed a private party.

Bestselling author Thom Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to read individually or study together, Rainer guides readers toward a practical framework for making a difference for those who visit their church. Churches may use Becoming a Welcoming Church to assess and audit where they are on a spectrum between welcoming and wanting. Additionally, churches can use the companion book We Want You Here to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.

The message is basic but profound. We want guests to know they are welcome to the church. This book is a gift to guests to communicate that very message. Thom Rainer has created a tool for churches to become more hospitable through a brief, welcoming book that introduces the ministry of the local church to guests. We Want You Here is a clear and instructive message to be given to church guests. Rainer facilitates the follow up conversation that every pastor would have, if they had the opportunity. By giving away the book to guests, they are encouraged, in a non-intrusive manner, to continue to reflect on the decision to visit their church. Those churches who share We Want You Here will be able to tell their guests:

• We Really Want You Here
• This is Not a Place for Perfect People
• We Would Like to Get to Know You
• This is Where Families Grow Strong
• Getting to Know the One Who Made Us
• Come Make a Difference with Us
• Thank You for Being Here