15 Church Welcome Ideas for New Visitors

Imagine a Sunday morning at your church. The doors open, and in walk a variety of visitors, each with their own stories and reasons for checking out your church. How do you make all of them feel welcome? 

Implementing thoughtful church welcome ideas ensures that all kinds of new visitors feel welcomed and valued. From personal greetings to innovative gifts, these ideas are designed to cater to the wide array of individuals who may come through your doors.

15 Creative Church Welcome Ideas

1. Offer an Alpha Class

A lot of church visitors have questions about their faith, but might feel hesitant to ask questions.

This is why I love Alpha, a parachurch organization that helps churches meet this felt need. If your church hosts an Alpha course, you can invite new visitors to attend and learn more about Christianity in an open, non-judgmental setting. 

2. Set up a Coffee Station

Many churches hand out coffee before the service, but creating a designated ‘coffee connect’ after your service can go a long way, specifically for new visitors. Here, new visitors will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee and casual conversation with church members after the service.

3. Hand Out Local Welcome Bags

Local welcome bags are a great way to welcome church visitors and show investment in your local community at the same time. 

Connect with local businesses to get sample products or purchase cookies and gift cards from a local coffee shop. Throw in a handwritten note from your church staff to make this church welcome idea feel even more personal.

4. Get Church Welcome Team T-shirts

It can sometimes be difficult for new visitors to sort out who to go to with questions. Church welcome team t-shirts are a great way to help visitors identify the welcome team at your church. 

5. Hand Out Name Tags

Host a name tag Sunday once a month to encourage visitors and members alike to learn each other’s names. Set up a station by your lobby entrance where people can fill out their own name tags, and have a welcome team member oversee the station to greet new visitors. 

6. Give Out Children’s Welcome Packs

Don’t forget about your youngest visitors, the kids. Give children their own welcome packs, filled with age-appropriate goodies like coloring books, crayons, and small toys, making the church visit memorable for the entire family.

7. Host a Newcomer Lunch with Your Church Welcome Team

Who doesn’t love free food? By hosting a monthly lunch specifically for new visitors, you will provide an opportunity for them to meet church leaders and members in a relaxed setting.

8. Offer First-Time Visitor Parking

Want to make your visitors feel really welcome? Reserve parking spots close to the entrance for first-time visitors, making their arrival stress-free and welcoming.

9. Show a Welcome Video

Show a short welcome video during the service that highlights church activities and how new visitors can get involved. A quick video from your lead pastor or church welcome team will do.

10. Set Up an Information Booth

Make the welcome team at church really accessible by setting up an information booth or welcome desk. Here, new visitors can ask questions, learn more about the church, and sign up for newsletters or groups.

11. Send Handwritten Welcome Notes

After Sunday is over, send handwritten notes to first-time visitors thanking them for attending and inviting them back. This will add a personal touch that digital communication often lacks.

12. Welcome Church Visitors with Succulents

I have only seen one church do this before, but it is one of my favorite all-time welcome ideas for churches. Give new visitors a small succulent as their welcome gift. They will be able to take home this long-lasting plant, and it will serve as a reminder of new life and of their visit.

13. Set Up a Groups Meet and Greet

One of the best ways to welcome a church visitor into your community is through groups! Set up a monthly meet-and-greet in your lobby, where group leaders can directly invite new visitors to join small groups or community groups, helping them find a place where they can connect and grow.

14. Give a Gift with a Lasting Impact

Even if a visitor attends your church just once, you have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on their life. Providing a book as a gift to first-time visitors—perhaps a thought-provoking devotional or an inspiring book about faith—can significantly encourage and nurture their faith journey. 

15. Create a Church Visitor Packet

Church visitor packets, whether digital or physical, are a standard way to show hospitality to new guests. But that doesn’t mean they have to be predictable or boring.

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

What Should Church Welcome Packets Include?

Here are a few tips to make your church welcome packets memorable.

• Personalized Welcome Letter: Include 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 to get involved. 
• Digital Connection Tools: 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. 
• 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, a choir, 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: The primary mission of all churches is to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations,” but why was this church started in this neighborhood? Your church's welcome packet can speak to this journey and to how your church is currently serving the world.
• Basic Service Information: 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 (email addresses, office hours, etc.) for church leaders.
• Clear Next Steps: 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 services to attend to get plugged in!

• Photos and Videos: Pictures of your staff, volunteers, and members 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.

Church Welcome Ideas for Gen Z

When you plan out your church welcome strategy, don't overlook Gen Z visitors. It's important to note that Gen Z values authenticity above all, so these strategies aren't about persuading them to like your church through gimmicks. 

FREE Download: 8 Sermons Gen Z Needs to Hear in 2026

Here are a few bonus tips to ensure our Gen Z friends find a space where they feel truly welcomed and understood.

• Charitable Donations in Their Honor: This action resonates deeply with Gen Z, who are passionate about making a difference and value churches that are actively involved in charitable work. It’s an innovative way to welcome church visitors, demonstrate your community's values, and invite them to get involved.
• Interactive Workshops on Current Issues: One way to attract Gen Z visitors is to invite them to workshops that address current issues such as mental health, social justice, or sustainability. This approach offers immediate ways to engage with the community on issues that matter. 
• Personal Journals: Offering personal journals as a welcome gift speaks volumes to Gen Z, a generation that values self-expression and introspection. Customize them with motivational quotes, scripture, or prompts that encourage reflection on their spiritual journey.
• Mentorship Programs: Implementing mentorship programs can have a lasting impact on Gen Z visitors. These programs facilitate personal growth and deeper engagement within the church community. 
• Community Service Projects: Involving newcomers in community service projects from the outset is a profound demonstration of your church's commitment to faith in action. It deeply resonates with Gen Z, a generation known for its dedication to social justice and its desire to make a tangible difference in the community.

The Best Way to Welcome Visitors to Church 

At the end of the day, the absolute best way to welcome visitors to church is to show them you care. Ask good questions, and take time to actually listen to their stories. Make sure everyone feels seen and valued. 

Never forget that hospitality is not just about how good the first-time visitor's gifts are. The welcome team at church should focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere that values personal interaction and community building, ensuring that every visitor feels loved and encouraged to return.

Welcome Visitors to Church with Tithely’s Help!

Tithely’s comprehensive church management software makes it easy to organize the welcome team at church, keep track of new visitors, host all kinds of events, stay up-to-date with your church community, and more! Learn more about Tithely and upgrade your church welcome strategy today!