Good fellowship does not come by happen stance. Every member has a part in fostering an atmosphere that is both spiritual and congenial.
One rudiment of that is meeting the needs of visitors. They are essential to the life and growth of the church. When they venture through your church doors, they are looking for something. It's part of a local lay elder's responsibility to help them find it.
Every church service ought to be planned with the assumption that visitors will be present. Arrange for them to be greeted in the parking lot. Assign somebody to take children to their Sabbath school divisions. Have a welcome team in the foyer. Get visitors' names in the guest book and read them from the pulpit as part of the welcome. Allow time in the worship service for people to exchange greetings and welcome visitors. Asking them to stand can be embarrassing in some cultures. Some would love it, but others may not.
In a sense, warmth cannot be organized. Fake fellowship is repulsive. The best greeting is one from a member who simply cares about people. Encourage members having the gift of hospitality to approach visitors informally and begin, not by awkwardly reminding them they are visitors, but by expressing a desire to get acquainted. Don't ask unwelcome questions, but a simple introduction encourages visitors to share whatever in formation they would like. If they don't wish to share much, respect their privacy. Let social instincts take over from there.
Most churches don't really know whether they're friendly or not. Oddly, those whose members feel the warmest fellowship with one another often seem coldest to visitors—members are enjoying each other so much they don't realize how excluded this makes a visitor feel. Ask someone to visit your church unannounced and fill out a checklist reporting reactions to parking, greeters, ushers, the worship service, members' personal greetings, etc.
Caring for members too
Put postal-sized cards in the pews. You might call them "Encouragement Cards," based on Hebrews 10:24, 25. Place names of the sick and shut-ins in the bulletin. Invite members to write an encouraging note to one or more of them and turn it in. Some members can make it a special ministry to hand-deliver or mail these.
Make the acceptance of new members a big event. Sing an appropriate song, such as "Blest Be the Tie," as church leaders welcome them. Have them stand by an elder at the door after church, where they can be personally welcomed by the congregation. Don't ask them to stand there without a host. If they are timid, people will forget and go by without a greeting, and you've done more harm than good.
Some Sabbath ask the congregation to sing or the instrumentalist to play "Jesus Loves Me." Invite adults to seek out the children, greet them, and let them know how much they love having children in the church.
Have an annual memorial service. Read names of members who died during the year. Ask relatives to stand and receive a flower. Preach on the Christian's hope in the resurrection.
Several times a year, organize a special recognition day when appreciation is expressed for members who have given long and exemplary service to the church.
Now and then choose a family of the week. Have an insert in the bulletin dedicated to a biographical sketch of the family. Sing their favorite hymn, re member them by name in the morning prayer, and have them stand by the door as people leave.
Interview someone in the congregation about his or her conversion, profession, outreach, etc. If someone has had a prayer answered or if something especially good has happened, let that person share the joy with the congregation.
Videotape members at home or at work telling how they share their faith on the job, and at an appropriate time show this testimony to the church. Also videotape shut-in members sharing their hope in Christ despite difficult circumstances. Audiotape worship services and deliver copies to shut-ins.
Miscellaneous suggestions
In addition to maintaining regular Sabbath fellowship dinners, elders and deacons with their spouses can organize other features that foster fellowship in the church body. Put a "dial-a-ride" phone number in the bulletin for those who need emergency transportation to a church function. You may have members who don't do much else for the church but would excel at providing transportation.
Invite a photography-minded member to take pictures of church events throughout the year. Once a year at a social (or better yet, at a business meeting), show these on the screen to encourage the church over the good things they've accomplished together.
One more element that contributes toward a loving, encouraging Sabbath morning atmosphere: learn the names of both members and visitors. You can't convince people you care about them if you don't know their names.
