[Presenter is at lectern. A row of 3 chairs are on stage facing the audience. Member 1 and 2 are seated on each end with the visitor in the middle]
[Presenter] Welcome to chapter 4 of Church Hospitality Made Easy.
In this chapter we’re talking about how to be hospitable towards visitors immediately following a church service.
[Member 1 & 2 stand, but visitor, not knowing they were meant to stand, notices two seconds later and copies by standing]
[Presenter] When a church service has ended, and the final prayer has concluded. . .
[Member 1 & 2 say "AMEN" and sit, but visitor, not knowing they were meant to sit, notices two seconds later and copies by sitting]
[Presenter] ...do not simply launch into frivolous talk with your friends . . .
[Member 1 leans over Visitor to talk to Member 2]
[Member 1] So anyway, you’ll never guess what I heard the pastor bought AND ate at Mc Donald’s last week.
[Presenter] Instead, take a moment to see if there are any people you don’t recognise in the room. And if you see someone, open a conversation with a friendly: “Hello, I don’t think I’ve met you before”
[Member 1] Hello, I don’t think I’ve met you before.
[Presenter] And then perhaps find out if they’ve been to your church before, where they’ve travelled from, or if they know anyone else there. But whatever you do, don’t start off by interrogating them on their understanding of the book of Revelation.
[Member 2] So, who do you think would win in a fight between the dragon and the woman verses the bear and the lion?
[Presenter] Neither should you pass judgement over them.
[Member 1] Do I see a tattoo poking out?
[Member 2] Is that jewellery in your nose on purpose?
[Member 1] Do I smell cigarette breath?
[Member 2] Have you eaten bacon in the past 7 to 10 days?
[Presenter] A great way to meet and get to know newcomers to your church is to invite them home for lunch.
[Member 1] Hey, we don’t have a church lunch today. Would you like to come over to my place for lunch?
[Presenter] And perhaps invite another friend over too to help avoid awkward silences.
[wait for literal 10 seconds, then lean over and talk to the other member]
[Member 1] Wanna come too?
[Presenter] Whatever you do, don’t fight with your church family over who’s house the visitor should go to for lunch.
[Member 2] Hey, you’re better off coming over to MY house for lunch. I have Hope channel.
[Member 1] But we’re having Haystacks!
[Member 2] So are we! With a side of gluten stakes!
[Member 1] Oi! I asked first!
[Member 2 – grabs visitors arm] Yeah? Well, you invited last week’s visitor to your place, this one’s mine
[Member 1 – grabs visitors other arm] No way buddy, I saw this one first - finders eaters!
[ start tug-a-war with visitor, “come to my place”, visitor who lets out a little scream/yelp – shocking the members, who let go. Visitor grabs their things and runs off stage]
[Member 2] So . . . what WAS our pastor eating at Macca's?
[Presenter] Congratulations. You have completed this chapter on “how to be hospitable towards visitors AFTER a church service”.
To summarise:
· Don’t ignore visitors
· Initiate conversation
· Don’t interrogate them over heavy biblical topics
· Invite them home for lunch
· and most importantly - don’t fight over the visitor!
In the next chapter of Church Hospitality Made Easy, we’ll be looking at the do’s and don’ts of lunch conversation while you have a visitor over.
[Member 2] Let me give you 100 proofs why the earth is flat.
[Presenter] Thanks for watching. Like and subscribe. See you next time!
Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - August 15, 2026