Articles for tag: Church Hospitality

May 1, 2020

Why We Invite All Our New Members to Our Home for Dinner (and How We Do It)

By Drew Sherman Over the last 13 years we have hosted more than 3,000 of our church family in our home. (That’s not a misprint!) During that time, our church attendance has grown from 1,500 to more than 6,000. God called my wife and me to Highland Meadows Christian Church near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in the summer of 2002. Four years later we changed our name to Compass Christian Church because we thought it better fit our plan for multisite ministry. We were excited about our rapid growth but concerned we were growing too busy to get to know

September 20, 2019

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Small Churches: Responding to Some Stereotypes

In this repost of a classic article that first appeared in Christian Standard on May 20, 2012, Tom Claibourne responds to some fairly typical stereotypes about small churches. Claibourne is in his 40th year serving with Bethlehem Church of Christ, Winchester, Ohio. He recently was inducted into the Christian Village Communities Hall of Faith; his induction video celebrating his life of ministry is available at the church’s Facebook page. (Read our October 2019 issue for articles about challenges facing rural and small churches . . . and possible solutions.) _ _ _ By Tom Claibourne Small church. What is the

August 9, 2015

Christian Standard

Family & Relationships

Family to the Family-less

By Danielle Hance Christians are called to love widows and orphans. But there may be other metaphorical orphans within your church or just beyond your church doors. For instance, the university student who is from out of state. The young business professional starting her career in a new city. The foundering 20-something who moved out of his parent”s basement and is trying to make it on his own. It may seem like single young adults have everything going for them. Life is full of possibilities. They are healthy and vibrant. Once you get past the “picture-perfect” exteriors, though, you may

October 28, 2012

Christian Standard

Church Life

Welcoming the Newcomers

By Melissa Brandes Too late we realized our failure. Communion was being served, and we hadn”t adequately prepped our unchurched, international guests. The Communion plate came around, and our guests stared at the two circles of unleavened bread. Bewildered, but trying to honor us the best they could, they picked up the circles and took a big bite, as if they were eating a sandwich. My mother and I and those in the pew behind us looked on in shock. Our guests, aware that something was wrong but not sure what, looked around, uncomfortable and embarrassed. We motioned for them

May 31, 2009

Christian Standard

Church Life

The Day I Went to Church and Ended Up in a Closet

Â By Mark Atteberry My wife and I were vacationing in a city that is home to one of our brotherhood”s greatest churches. I won”t mention the church”s name for reasons that will become obvious as you read. Suffice to say, we couldn”t wait to worship there. We”d heard so many good things we just knew we”d have an unforgettable experience.Â We did, but not in the way we expected. Â WHAT HE SAID When we arrived at the sprawling campus I parked beside a woman who”d just locked her car and was heading for the nearest entrance. Having no

October 21, 2007

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Why and How Your Church Should Use Name Tags

By Krista Petty My coworkers teased me all week long. (Yes, people in ministry razz one another.) Ten of us were attending a national outreach convention, and the one workshop I was most excited about was titled something like, “The Value of Name Tags.” Yes, it was all about using name tags at church. Why were they making fun of me? The youth minister told me name tags were dorky. He”d never wear one. Another staffer said, “Out of all the great options, you”re choosing that?” To make matters worse, they all pointed out that this workshop was at 4:00

October 21, 2007

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

What”s at Your Front Door?

By Robert Kitchen Our local newspaper ran an article headlined “Home Decor Starts at the Front Door.” It said an entryway is the visual introduction to a house, and that it sets the stage for all that may follow. Consider the front door of your church. It should be clean, neat, and in good repair. But it doesn”t stop there. The helpfulness and demeanor of the people who are at the door are what”s most important. Many churches recognize the importance of their entryways; unfortunately some do not recognize them as opportunities. A church”s music may be tremendous, the sermon

November 26, 2006

Lee Snyder

Church Life

The Human Touch

A small group’s culture shifted when one leader chose to offer appropriate, caring touch. Lee Snyder explores why touch matters, how it communicates acceptance and sympathy, and why Christians should practice it wisely and respectfully.

January 29, 2006

Christian Standard

Church Life

What Introverts Say

A collection of candid online quotes from introverts describing what drains them in church—forced greetings, loud services, pressure to socialize, and limited views of outreach—along with their longing for privacy and restoration.