9 Church Welcome Ideas for Gen Z

Are you on the hunt for church welcome ideas? Don't overlook your Gen Z visitors! 

Recent reports indicate that by early 2024, the number of Gen Zers working full-time is expected to surpass that of Boomers. While Millennials currently lead in workforce numbers, Gen Z is quickly emerging, actively shaping culture with their innovative perspectives and values.

Gen Z and the Church

As Gen Zers take more active roles in society, many of these young adults are also working out their beliefs and understanding of the world. Today, with newfound independence, they're faced with deciding their engagement with church life on their own terms. This exploration may lead them right to your church's doorstep in search of a community where they find truth and a sense of belonging.

The critical question, then, is this: Does the welcome team at your church offer the welcoming, relatable environment that Gen Z is looking for—a place where they can genuinely see themselves fitting in?

If the answer is no, it may be time to implement some new church welcome ideas into your routine! With this in mind, I've dedicated time to developing specific welcome ideas that are tailored for Gen Z. 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. 

Instead, these church welcome ideas are designed to genuinely cater to the emerging generation's preferences and needs. Just as paper welcome packets have (for the most part) transitioned to digital formats, your church welcome team can adapt its strategies to better align with Gen Z's expectations and ways of engaging with the world.

Here are nine welcome ideas for church that are specifically tailored to connect with our Gen Z friends, ensuring that when they walk through your doors, they find a space where they feel truly welcomed and understood.

9 Church Welcome Ideas for Gen Z

Branded Candles for First-Time Guests

I recently attended a church in which branded candles were sold at the church merch table, and it spurred an idea: why not hand out free candles as a way to welcome church visitors? This church welcome idea is thoughtful and unique, with the potential to leave a lasting impression on first-time guests. By customizing these candles with your church's logo and perhaps a message of hope or welcome, you create a tangible connection between their experience at your church and their daily lives. To make this gift attractive to Gen Z, make sure the label matches the Gen Z aesthetic (think trendy line art, cool colors, or something nostalgic.)

Eco-Friendly Tote Bags

Gen Z fashion is all about tote bags, and this makes the old-fashioned canvas tote bag a creative and effective welcome idea for church. Your church welcome team can hand tote bags out to new visitors as gifts and sell the rest to members via a merch table in the lobby. If you want to both align with Gen Z values and have a positive impact on the environment, consider purchasing your tote bags from an eco-friendly source. Personalize these bags with inspiring messages or your church’s logo, making them a stylish and practical gift that visitors can use in their daily lives.

Charitable Donations in Their Honor

To showcase your church's commitment to generosity, make a charitable donation in honor of each first-time visitor. This action resonates deeply with Gen Z, who are passionate about making a difference and value churches that are actively involved in charitable work. Informing visitors that a donation has been made on their behalf not only makes them feel welcomed but also part of your church's mission from the outset. This is an innovative way to welcome church visitors, demonstrate your community's values, and invite them to be an active part of your outreach efforts.

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Interactive Workshops on Current Issues

One way to attract Gen Z visitors is to host workshops that address topics on current issues such as mental health, social justice, or environmental sustainability. When a Gen Zer visits your church for the first time, invite them to attend the next workshop. This approach to welcoming church visitors goes beyond traditional methods, offering immediate ways that visitors can engage with your community on issues that matter. Tailoring these workshops to reflect current trends and discussions will make your church an attractive place for members of Gen Z, who are looking for communities that are not only aware but also actively engaged in societal change.

Personal Journals

Offering personal journals as a welcome gift speaks volumes to Gen Z, a generation that values self-expression and introspection. Customize these journals with motivational quotes, scripture, or prompts that encourage reflection on their spiritual journey. I personally know many Gen Zers who are working their way through a Lectio Divina journal, and it is supporting immense growth in their faith. This church welcome idea doesn’t just welcome visitors to church – it invites them to grow in their faith throughout the week!

Creative Nights

Hosting a creative night is a fantastic way to welcome church visitors, especially those from Gen Z. This event serves as a dynamic platform for self-expression and the arts, where young adults can showcase their talents, whether it's through music, poetry, painting, storytelling, etc. It's a relaxed yet powerful way to foster a sense of community and belonging, showing that your church values the diverse voices and experiences within its walls. Encouraging Gen Z to share their stories and talents in such an open environment not only values their artistic expression and their contribution to your church but also strengthens their connection to the Christian community.

Mentorship Programs

Implementing mentorship programs as a key part of your church's welcome strategy can have a lasting impact on Gen Z visitors. By offering guidance and support through intergenerational relationships, these programs facilitate personal growth and deeper engagement within the church community. For Gen Z, having a mentor means gaining valuable insights and encouragement on their faith journey, emphasizing the church's role in nurturing spiritual development and fostering meaningful connections across different age groups.

Community Service Projects

As your church welcome team ponders how to welcome visitors to church, remember that it is also important to facilitate ways for them to BE the Church within their community. Involving newcomers in community service projects from the outset is a profound demonstration of your church's commitment to faith in action. This initiative 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. By welcoming new visitors to join in these efforts, you highlight your church as a proactive and caring community, one that not only talks about change but actively participates in it. This approach is a powerful draw for Gen Z, aligning with their values and desire to be part of a community that contributes positively to the world around them.

Iced Coffee and Conversations

You read that right! While Gen Zers as a whole are less fond of coffee than their Millennial predecessors, iced coffee seems to be a hit among my Gen Z friends. Want to try something even more unique? Boba and Mocktails are also trending right now, so “Boba and the Bible” or a “Mocktails Mixer” may also be a great way to invite Gen Z into community. The key to this church welcome idea is regularly hosting casual church gatherings for open discussions about faith, life, and everything in between. The iced coffee is just a bonus! 

By incorporating these nine welcome ideas for church, your church welcome team can create an inviting environment that resonates with Gen Z visitors, showing them that they're not just welcome but wanted and valued in your community.

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