With new twists on old ideas, welcome guests with these church lobby ideas.
Churches everywhere are getting creative with their unique way of saying “Welcome” to church visitors and guests. With inviting solutions in their lobby and welcome areas, they’re discovering new ways to express hospitality with sincerity.
Some churches have mastered the inviting coffee bar or comfy seats and tables, and others have given trusted ideas a new twist. Here’s a peek at some of our favorite ideas that you can borrow for welcoming guests into your church, too.
4 Inviting Church Lobby Ideas That Welcome Guests
1. Unmanned Coffee Station
Welcome guests with a coffee station in your church lobby.
We’re all familiar with the welcome area disguised as the coffee bar, right? It’s the act of churches positioning friendly workers behind the coffee-filled air pump to offer a lighthearted greeting to partakers.
The churches shown in the images here have shifted their thinking and, instead, are leaving coffee and beverages in a central location without a volunteer. With plenty of greeters in the lobby area to offer help if needed, churches want to offer this small gift of coffee or tea with no strings attached whatsoever.
For those of you who are comfortable in church settings, this distinction is hardly detectable. But the nervous visitor will appreciate getting caffeinated without having to make any eye contact or small talk.
This church lobby idea for a bigger welcome is subtle; the next one is not.
Looking for a simple coffee station solution? We love these bistro carts.
Welcome guests with an unmanned coffee station in your church lobby.
2. Kids’ Play Area
Welcome young guests with an inflatable bounce house.
There’s little chance visiting kids will be begging their parents to head back to the parking lot once they set their eyes on a bounce house, play area, or full-size play set!
Whether you rent a bounce house for your September kickoff or you purchase one to pull out every Sunday, inflatables area—and not just for kids.
Talk to your local rental facility and you’ll discover inflatable obstacle courses, basketball games, shooting ranges, and more.
Something as simple as a rented, inflatable bounce house or game for young kids can help to make them feel seen and welcome at your church — and their parents, too. Share on X3. Outdoor Welcome Area
Welcome guests outside of your church under an inviting tent.
What about skipping the lobby “welcome” altogether?
These churches have found a creative way to minimize a visitor’s fear of walking through the church doors: they’ve simply moved the entrance.
Of course, this kind of setup is most conducive to warm climates or summer seasons, but the philosophy behind it can be applied all year long. Rather than make a visitor do the work of coming into an unfamiliar place with hidden participants, these churches have brought the initial welcome area outdoors..
Imagine pulling up to this church venue as a guest and seeing people under the tent who look like you and are smiling and available for questions. What a relief to an uncertain visitor.
Keep reading: The Easiest Solution to Reduce First-Time Visitor Confusion
Welcome church guests to an inviting tent with beverages and treats.
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4. Direction Menu
Welcome church guests with a menu directing visitors to the common areas.
This is not a new idea but unfortunately, it’s sorely underused.
Can a trepidatious, visiting single mother pulling her three young children into church get where she needs to go without searching for help? Imagine that scenario when choosing and designing signage for your church venue.
With just the basics displayed, guests should be able to grab a coffee, drop off kids, head to the worship area, and use the restroom without the hassle of asking for assistance. Does your church have clear menus placed around the facility?
Planting? 3 Kinds of Signage You Need To Secure Before Launching
Welcome church guests with a menu directing visitors to the most common areas.
INVITING CHURCH LOBBIES COMMUNICATE ALL ARE WELCOME
These are some thoughtful ways of expressing hospitality within a church’s lobby, but that’s not the only way to say “You Are Welcome”. Even subtle elements like available hand sanitizer, clear signage, and a strategic layout will communicate a visitor-friendly message to guests and members alike.
Want help elevating your church lobby and making your WELCOME clear? Book a free, 20-minute call with one of our experts. We’d love to help.
