Write a Welcome Speech for Church Events
Writing a welcome speech for a church event can be a challenging affair. Whether you are welcoming congregants to a wedding, funeral, baptism, confirmation or regular service you are setting the tone. Many churches, however, have found a way to include this as a part of the regularly repeated but meaningful rituals of their services. Work your welcome speech through these steps and your church (not to mention any visitors) will be thankful.
Instructions
1. ~ Consider the emotional tone for the event ~
Is this a celebration or a communal lament? Are you initiating people into new life, or grieving losses? A regular Sunday morning service has a different tone than a prayer meeting or a potluck social. Put an emotional label on the tone of the event such as joyful, somber, expectant, celebratory, or grieved. Make sure the rest of your work on the welcome speech for this church event match the tone -- including your facial gestures and tone of voice.
2. ~ Find a unique way to say 'welcome' ~
The word welcome has become a little tired in welcome speeches for church events lately. She has started asking for vacations and leaves of absence. Your goal is not to say 'welcome' but to make people actually feel welcomed. There is a big difference. Try phrases such as 'we are so glad,' 'many of us have been eager,' 'it is hard to describe,' or 'we are deeply honored,' or 'this is your church.' These phrases can help communicate welcome without saying it.
3. ~ Briefly address each unique group during your welcome speech ~
This does not need to be and should not be a laundry list of persons or a roll call, or a reciting of very important people present in church that day. Instead address the poor, the advantaged, the new, and the familiar to this particular moment of worship and let them know this service is for them. They do not need to stand on the fringe.
For example you could say 'It is hard to describe how meaningful it is for the family to have each of you here today. Whether you have known this family since you first came home from the hospital, or just met them by chance this month, we are honored you are here. We want you to know this is your service and your time...'
4. ~ Give a verbal contract ~
Any welcome speech for a church event forms a psychological contract with the participants about what is supposed to happen in the service. This is your chance to frame the church event as a moment of worship and point people toward God. Following up on the last example it might go like this 'this is your service and your time... to grieve, to laugh, to cry, and to listen. Listen for the many ways in which God graced our lives while Mr. Jones was a live. Laugh at the ways in which he was ever human. And if you cry, cry with the tears of those who trust there is a God who will one day wipe away all tears.'
5. ~ Make sure it is moving ~
A welcome speech for a church event should not be a boring nod off moment. Remember, you are forming a contract. If your welcome speech is boring, the assumption the rest of the hour will be as well. Ask yourself where in your welcome speech you are touching people's emotions.
6. ~ Rehearse the welcome speech until it is from memory ~
Unless this is a long speech you should be able to commit it to memory. You can still take a note card up with you if necessary. Rehearsing it make sure the body and voice will match the words and that your nervous energy will not keep your from being personable and welcoming in your person.
** See more tips below on writing a welcome speech for a church event.
