We’ve partnered with thousands of churches, and with their help, we’ve crafted a church welcome speech that simply works. Members and guests are taking action in response to the speech! We know you have a ton on your plate, and since we love seeing churches thrive, we’re giving you this church announcement template completely free! (It’s the least we can do to lighten your load!)
We have kept this formula simple and straightforward; you can pretty much copy, paste, and then tweak it to fit your needs, whether it's for a general service or specifically tailored as a welcome speech for a church anniversary or a welcome speech for church on women's day.
We call it the Cornerstone Method. It’s the building block for earning trust by making your people feel welcome and providing them with a clear next step. Your goal here is to collect their information to effectively follow up with church guests after their visit.
If you fail to gain a guest’s contact information, then you can’t follow up with them (scratching your head about follow-up? Make sure you aren’t making any of the 3 critical mistakes of guest follow-up ). If you can’t follow up with them, then your chances of building that relationship with them have failed. Hence the name “cornerstone”; without this basic foundation, nothing else can be built.
So, without further adieu…
Crafting Your Church Welcome Speeches
Crafting your church welcome speeches involves creating a warm and inviting message that sets the tone for the entire service. It is important to convey a sense of hospitality, gratitude, and inclusivity to make guests feel welcomed and valued. Your welcome speech should be genuine, heartfelt, and reflective of your church's values and beliefs.
When crafting your church welcome speeches, consider the tone and language you use to ensure that it resonates with your audience. Keep it simple, sincere, and engaging to capture the attention of both newcomers and regular attendees. Remember to thank guests for choosing to worship with your congregation and express your hope that they feel at home in your church.
In addition to welcoming guests, your church welcome speeches can also provide important information about upcoming events, programs, and ways to get involved in the community. This is a great opportunity to showcase the vibrant and welcoming nature of your church and encourage guests to become more engaged members of the congregation.
Overall, crafting your church welcome speeches is a key component of creating a positive and welcoming environment for all who enter your doors. By putting thought and care into your welcome message, you can make a lasting impression on guests and set the stage for a meaningful and fulfilling worship experience. Here’s an example:
Welcome! I am glad you’re here and chose to spend the morning with us! My name is Adam, and I am a part of the welcome ministry at City Church. My family and I have been here for 3 years and love being a part of this amazing community. Whether it's your first visit or you're here for our church anniversary, your presence is celebrated.Our church is focused on and dedicated to building up strong Christian families; hopefully you will get a chance to see and experience that as you worship with us today! A recent example of how we are striving to build up families is the parent workshop we had this last week.As I mentioned a moment ago, I am glad you are here with us! If you are a first time guest, we’d love to connect with you! We know everyone prefers a different method of communication, so you can either fill out a connection card in the seatbacks in front of you and drop it in the offering plate later in the service, or take out your phone and text the word Welcome to 816-482-3337. We hope to provide you important information about our church, open a personal line of communication, and give you everything you need to see if this place is a good fit for you!Again, Welcome and if you have any questions please stop by the Welcome center. Stephanie would love to chat, and she has a free gift for you!
You might be wondering why this welcome address for church works so well…
Elements Of A Great Welcome Speech For Church
1. Introduce Yourself (Welcome)
For most of your guests, you will be the first impression they get of the church and what kind of people are in your community. People like to put a name to a face and they will connect even deeper if you share a little about yourself, too. We recommend introducing yourself with your name, your role in the church, how long you’ve been in the church, and some connection to the community.
This personal touch helps to establish a sense of trust and familiarity with your guests, making them feel more comfortable and welcomed. It also sets a positive tone for the rest of the service or event. By sharing a bit about yourself, you are showing that you are approachable and relatable, which can help to break down any barriers or reservations that newcomers may have.
Additionally, introducing yourself allows you to establish credibility and authority as a leader within the church. This can help to build confidence in your guests and make them more receptive to the message you will be sharing. Overall, taking the time to introduce yourself in a welcome speech for church is a simple yet effective way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for all who attend.
2. Tell Your Story (Connect)
Now, it’s time to get to the heart of your church. Who are you as a community and what do you stand for? This is a perfect place to tell a super quick story or give an example of your church living out that value in real life. Use specific numbers, groups or events for greater impact.
Sharing your church's story is a powerful way to connect with your audience and show them what sets your community apart. Whether it's a story of how your church helped a family in need, organized a successful community event, or reached a milestone in membership growth, these personal anecdotes can help illustrate the values and mission of your church in a tangible way. By sharing these stories, you can create a sense of unity and purpose among your guests, making them feel like they are a part of something special.
So don't be afraid to share your church's story and let your guests see the heart and soul of your community.
3. Call To Action (Desire)
Sometimes, you have to tell people exactly what you want them to do. Otherwise, they aren’t going to do it. Spelling out your expectations clearly and having multiple ways for people to provide their information is crucial. We aren’t begging here though, just simply providing the different options and asking them to complete the action you want them to take.
Make it easy for your guests to take action by including clear calls to action throughout your communication. Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, attending a service, or volunteering for an event, make sure the steps are simple and straightforward. By providing multiple ways for people to get involved, you are increasing the likelihood that they will take action.
Remember, a strong call to action can inspire and motivate your guests to become active members of your church community. So don't be shy about asking for what you want - your guests will appreciate the clarity and direction.
4. What Will Happen? (Why)
Before they take action, they need to be able to answer the question “Why?” Let them know what they can expect if they give you their information as well as the benefit of doing so. It’s also ok to talk about what others have thought in order to prove that it’s ok to trust you and your church.
By clearly outlining what will happen when they take action, you are providing transparency and building trust with your guests. Let them know the benefits of joining your church community, such as a sense of belonging, spiritual growth, and opportunities for service and fellowship.
Share testimonials or success stories from current members to show that others have had positive experiences with your church. This will help alleviate any concerns or doubts they may have about getting involved. Remember, communication is key in inspiring action and building a strong, engaged church community.
Click here to see the perfect welcome address speech for church in action.
Engage Your Church Visitors With Your Welcome Speech (Conclusion)
Use the Cornerstone Method this weekend to connect with your guests and members and get them to take action! PLUS, we thought it would be helpful for you to have a Cornerstone Method Worksheet (link directly to your new PDF resource) with not only the copy and paste script, but also questions to help you form the perfect welcome speech for your congregation.
Remember, the 4 elements are…
- Welcome: Introduce yourself
- Connect: Tell your story
- Desire: Tell them what you want them to do
- Why: Why should they and what is going to happen now?
Remember, the goal is to make everyone feel included and inspired to take action. So, this weekend, try out the Cornerstone Method and watch as your church visitors become more connected and engaged than ever before. Don't forget to personalize your welcome speech and make it genuine.
Share a little bit about yourself, your journey, and why you are passionate about your faith. Encourage your congregation to participate, whether it's joining a small group, volunteering, or simply getting to know their fellow church members. So, give it a try this weekend and see the positive impact it can have on your church community.
Bonus Tips For Your Speech
We thought it would be helpful for you to have a Cornerstone Method Worksheet (link directly to your new PDF resource) with not only the copy and paste script, but also questions to help you form the perfect welcome speech for your congregation.
Remember, the 4 elements are…
- Don’t rush – You have important things to say, so make sure your people can actually process what you are saying. Include some pre-service slides to peak interest.
- Look up – It is super hard to follow someone that is just reading from a paper.
- Practice – Prepare for your welcome speech by reading through your speech ahead of time so you are familiar with the content, allowing you to look up and… (which leads us to our next point).
- Stay on topic – A little ad-lib here or there isn’t terrible, but try to strip down your content so you can keep their attention.
- Mix it up – Keep things fresh by using different presenters each week. This could be your children’s ministry director or someone on your hospitality team.
- Look happy – It may seem obvious, but try your best to be comfortable up there. Smile and have energy, it’s contagious!
- Use props – If you have a gift for your guests, have the speaker hold it up so the guests can make a visual connection to what they are supposed to pick up, making it more likely they will connect with someone at the welcome center.
Engaging your audience is key to keeping them interested and coming back for more. By staying on topic and keeping your content concise, you can ensure that your message is clear and easy to follow. Mixing up your presenters can also add variety and keep things interesting for your audience.
Remember to always bring a positive and energetic attitude to the stage. A smile goes a long way in making your audience feel welcome and engaged. Using props can also help to make your message more memorable and interactive. By incorporating visual aids, you can help your guests connect with the information you are sharing.
Overall, the key to a successful presentation is to keep things fresh, engaging, and interactive. By following these tips, you can create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for your audience.
P.S. If your church has a different goal in mind for your church welcome address , say introducing a new program or inviting your congregation to sign up for an event, check out this free welcome talk training video series ! You can download each script to this 5-part series as well.
P.P.S. What is the most important goal your church is trying to accomplish during the welcome speech? You may also want to check our guide on church welcome letter.
