Becoming a Welcoming Church

By: Thom S. Rainer

Narrated by: George W. Sarris

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Most church members don't see their churches clearly.

In almost all of Thom S. 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.

Best-selling author of I Am a Church Member and Autopsy of a Deceased Church, Thom Rainer has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to listen to individually or together, Rainer guides listeners 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 audiobook, We Want You Here, to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.

©2018 eChristian (P)2018 eChristian

good tips

i dont agree with everything the author sayd but he does have good tips to be a welcoming church. somethings seemed common sense but might not befor everyone. one big thing i got from the book was use your resources to reach the lost.

love this book

it was fun reading the book, I learned a lot we needed to do to become a welcoming church. thanks

Great help for every church

This book will help you have a heart for guests. Practical and inspirational help for Churches of all sizes.

Very helpful

The author has interviewed a lot of guests and reflects what they say in a helpful manner. There are so many ways to consider helping people want to return to a church and hospitality in organized and creative ways is worth doing.

Very helpful

This book is a requirement for our entire leadership team in our church. What a great call to be more welcoming to this who visit our churches! I highly recommend listening with a notepad and listing those areas where you see a need for improvement in your local assembly. Listen honestly and openly and it will dynamically change the way you interact with guests, in turn revitalizing your existing membership.

Still Relevant - and for all size congregations.

I knew of this little book when it was originally published. Even more relevant for post-pandemic recovery. Purchased one for several members and went through each chapter in leiu of Wednesday evening events. Had impact on all who read or listened. Even those who love the "stand and greet" were convinced to give up their personal preference for the sake of guests. We will review this book again - perhaps even required readng for Church Council members?

We are a small church of about 30 active - this isn't just for large congregations!

Eye opening

This book made me take a hard look at our church. I think we are doing some things well but we have much room for improvement. I like the ease of reading/listening and the practicality of this book. It is one I’m sure I will reread many times as I strive to help make our church a more welcoming place!

Welcoming church review

Loved it. more churches need to hear this message especially in today's society. too many people are being lost

Eye opener

Every church leader should read this book. The church should not forget its primary assignment of reaching the world

Helpful

I found the info in this book helpful. I plan to bring some of the ideas up in our next men’s meeting. I look forward to implementing what needs to be implemented.