Welcoming a Guest

You’ve heard the expression “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Well, here are some suggestions that will make that first impression a good one. In a word, “SMILE”.

Say “hello.”
Make the first move. Initiate the conversation. “Hello” works very well.

Make eye contact.
Show by your eye contact that you are focused on them. Looking around the room communicates that you are thinking about other things or that you’re looking for the next person to speak with.

Introduce yourself & Inquire about them.
Tell them a little about yourself and without interrogating them, ask good questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer. For example, “How did you come to our group?” “What do you do for a living?”

Listen with your heart.
Try to understand where they are coming from, what makes them unique. Do your best to remember their name and other critical information they share. Remember to call them by name and follow up with them on your previous conversation. “How is your job search going? You mentioned last time that you might have a lead.”

End with an invitation.
Thank them for coming and invite them to sit with you in church or come to your Home Group. Tell them about the next group activity and offer a sincere invitation to participate.

A SMILE can go a long way in making a guest feel welcome!

4 Tips for Intentional Discipleship

We are called to "Go and make disciples"...How do you do that!?! How do you start? Here are 4 Tips to help you begin an intentional discipling relationship.

4 Tips for Intentional Discipleship from Pantego Bible Church on Vimeo.

Communication via Email

E-mail is a funny thing! It is all about our convenience. I start writing it when I am ready, I finish writing it when I am ready, and I send it after I have, or have not spell checked and or proofed it. We often read our e-mail when we want, replying when we want, knowing that the sender or receiver will never know what we were wearing or if we picked our nose in the process.

E-mails can be funny, informative, encouraging, and the opposite of each of these. The point that needs to be understood is why you have sent the e-mail. Sarcasm is often misunderstood because the person either does not know you, or does not know that you are J/K (just kidding).

The trick is to be personal but not too informal. Blow is an example, look for these three things:

1. Is it personal?

2. Is it brief?

3. Is it helpful?

SAMPLE

Hello Bob & Sally,

My name is Darren Holt and on behalf of Pantego Bible Church, Welcome! We hope that your experience with us has blessed you. It was a great to have the opportunity to meet you at the Guest Connection time on Sunday. Besides the corporate Sunday worship service, we also have Community Group Bible studies on Sunday mornings, as well as Home Groups that meet regularly in your area.

Our prayer is that you would find a Biblical community that can pour into your life. We truly seek to love and minister to people by encouraging biblical community inside local neighborhoods. Being connected to local believers is essential for developing deep, lasting spiritual relationships.

We believe everyone needs a place to BELONG, a place to BECOME more like Christ, and a place to go BEYOND.

I have copied the Shepherds and some friends of mine that live in your area so that they would also be able to help get you connected.

· Your Community Group (North Trinity Area) meets at 9 am in room 150.

· The Rhiddlehoover Home Group meets Tuesdays @ 6:30pm. Their number is: ###

· The Acosta Home Group meets Sundays @ 1-3pm. Their number is: ###

If you have any questions or if there is something that I can do, please let me know.

We look forward to getting to know you.

In Christ alone,

Darren Holt

817.713.6167 cell