7 Creative Ideas for Church Welcome Packets

Let's talk church welcome packets. If you've been involved in church ministry for any length of time, you know that church visitor packets — whether digital or physical — are a standard way to show hospitality to new guests. But even though church welcome packets are standard, that doesn’t mean they have to be predictable or boring!

In fact, I’m a firm believer that church visitor gifts, new visitor welcome packets, and church new member welcome packets should be anything but mundane. Instead, they should be infused with creativity that showcases the uniqueness of your church community!

After all, we all belong to the broader body of Christ, and each congregation has its own unique expression of God’s mission in the world.

What Should Church Welcome Packets Include? 

Before we dive into church welcome packet ideas, let’s go over the basic items that every church welcome packet should include. 

A List of Ministries and Programs

Does your church do outreach work in a particular area of your city? Do you have a stellar children’s church program, or a chior, or a jogging ministry? Whatever you have going on at your church, church visitor packets are a great place to highlight it! 

Your Mission and Vision

You should also make sure that a welcome packet for church points toward your mission and vision. While the primary mission of all churches is to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations,” this is the place to highlight what makes your church unique. Why does your church exist? Or, put differently, why was this church in this particular neighborhood started in the first place? Oftentimes, the answer is that a person or group of people felt a burden to start a church there. Your church welcome packets can speak to this journey and to how your church is currently serving the world.

Basic Service Information

Make sure to go back to the basics! Ideally, church welcome folders should always include information about your service times, prayer meetings, and small groups. Church visitor packets should also include relevant contact information (e.g. email addresses, office hours, etc.) for church leaders.

Creative Church Visitor Gifts

I know that church visitor gifts can sometimes feel like a hassle, but they can go a long way in helping visitors feel valued and seen. Whether it’s a church-branded coffee mug or one of the creative church welcome bag ideas below, church visitor gifts are a huge win!

Clear Next Steps for Visitors and New Members

Does your church offer a new visitor class? What are the steps toward becoming a church member? Church welcome packets for new members should include clear next steps for getting plugged into the life of your church! Make sure your visitors and new members know where to head on your website, who to call, and what special services to attend to get plugged in!

7 Tips for Creative Church Welcome Packets

If you’re looking for church welcome packet ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Here are seven creative church welcome bag ideas that will make a great first impression!

#1 Add a Personalized Welcome Letter

Give your church welcome packets a personal touch by including a welcome letter from your pastor or church leaders (bonus points if it includes a handwritten signature!) This letter can include an anecdote on the history of the church, a brief personal story, or a pastoral perspective on how best to get involved in the life of the church. If your church sends welcome packets in the mail post-visit, you can also personalize the letter to mention the service attended or any specific interests your guest may have shared. 

#2 Hand Out Church Visitor FAQ Sheets at the Front Door 

This church welcome packet idea is great if your church has a lot of visitors each week! Instead of waiting for guests to come to the connect booth to collect their church welcome packet, hand out new visitor cards at the front door. These cards can serve as a type of guide for new guests, offering detailed information about the flow of your service, worship, communion, parking, restroom locations, children’s ministry, etc. This will help new visitors feel more comfortable navigating a new environment. 

#3 Include Creative Church Visitor Gifts 

Get creative with your visitor gifts by showcasing the unique characteristics of your location and community. For example, consider offering a succulent to guests in the sunny states of California or Arizona. In Seattle, where rain is more common, an umbrella might be a thoughtful (and memorable!) touch. Do you have someone who loves baking in your church community? How about a coffee shop owner? The more creative and personalized a welcome packet for churches is, the more it will stand out to new visitors.  

#4 Implement Digital Connection Tools

Using digital connection tools such as QR codes can be an excellent way to cut down on paper and connect people with your website! In addition to a QR code that links to your church’s main online resources, consider including links to a welcome video from the staff, digital sign-ups for newsletters, or a schedule of upcoming virtual events. Explain how these tools can keep them connected through various platforms and how they can best use these resources to integrate into the community.

#5 Think Inside the Box

If you’re creating a welcome packet for church, attractive packaging will go a long way! While church welcome folders are typical, don’t be afraid to make your church welcome packets stand out! Church welcome bags (think gift bags) and church welcome boxes wrapped up nicely may help your guests feel like you are giving them a gift rather than just information! Fill the box with fliers, thoughtful gifts, and more. Confetti might be a fun touch, as well!

#6 Use Your Brand Colors Wisely

Your church's welcome packet is an excellent opportunity to express your church's personality through the consistent use of your brand colors. Incorporating these colors can enhance the cohesiveness of your materials. While aesthetic unity isn't essential for spreading the gospel, in our visually-driven 21st-century culture, a visually cohesive presentation can significantly enhance your church's ability to connect with newcomers.

#7 Include Photos and Videos When Possible

"A picture is worth a thousand words,” so consider packing your church visitor packets and church welcome packets for new members with engaging photos and videos of your staff, congregation, and community activities! These visuals not only make the packet more engaging but also help potential new members visualize themselves as part of your church family. Videos can be particularly impactful, offering a dynamic look into the life of your church.

Make a Warm Welcome with Your Church Welcome Bags

When you hand out welcome packets at your church, you’re doing more than just giving out information—you’re showing real hospitality to everyone who walks through your doors. These packets are a perfect opportunity to give a warm, friendly welcome that makes newcomers feel right at home. Filled with personalized notes, thoughtful gifts, and useful information, a welcome packet for churches says, "We're so glad you're here and we can't wait for you to join us."

At Tithely, we’re passionate about people and about helping them get plugged in to a church community. Tithe.ly People makes it easy to centralize your contacts and stay up-to-date with new visitors! Learn more here.

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