Recently, one of our hostesses brought up some good questions which really made me think through the "whys" and "hows" behind hosting. Here are some of my answers to those questions... feel free to add your thoughts.
1. What's the real purpose of hosting for Sunday Worship?
The purpose is to create a clear "flow" so that the congregation and newcomers will understand what is happening next. Also, as a hostess, you are the "face" of the church. Most people feel they cannot relate to a pastor, but they see an ordinary person up there being warm, friendly and welcoming them and they get a feel for how our church is.
2. Are there any techniques you recommend to begin the worship?
To begin the worship, the purpose of the host should be to gather people's attention and focus it on God (aka "call to worship")
I have seen some different techniques from hosts that I think are helpful in different ways. For example, reading a very short Scriptural "call to worship" (For example, Psalm (95:1, 95:2 or 95:6, Psalm 66:1, etc.)
OR
Relating to some current event (say we are in mourning for something or happy about something)
OR
Relating to today's theme. For example, our current sermon series is on Hope. You could say something like, "Good morning everyone. In this month's sermon series, we have been hearing about the Hope that Jesus gives us. Let's stand and worship Him, and remind our hearts to be hopeful." Something like that.
Just from a Google search, I found an eHowarticle with some helpful tips at the end (from an unnamed eHow contributor):
Greet the congregation with a smile and a confident movement toward worship rather than a bland 'Good morning.' The first words should be more than casual greetings...this is a worship service.
Project your voice with breath support from the diaphragm and speak with a smile.
Raise the arms and turn up the palms in a welcoming gesture during your last sentence of invitation to worship.
Calls to worship are not long affairs. Avoid the long winded introduction.
If you are reading a call to worship avoid the reading voice with its downturned towns and predictable rhythms. Practice reading the call to worship well enough that it lives and breathes.
Don't think you can avoid the call to worship. Whatever is spoken first (outside of song) in a service is the call to worship. So craft it well.
Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5359076_perform-call-worship.html#ixzz2lhv6ybbB
3. What are some ways to welcome newcomers without asking them to stand up to make them feel uncomfortable?
As a background, we don't have newcomers stand up in our congregation. Too often, that makes people feel like there's a lot of unwanted attention. But we do have a greeting time part-way through the service and many hostesses encourage people to talk with those they don't know.
Also as a host, you can invite newcomers to our post-service snack/mingle time, saying something like, "If you are new this Sunday, we would love to get to know you, and the best time for that is to join us upstairs for food and conversation right after service."
Please feel free to add your own ideas.
Have a great Thanksgiving week!
