Contents x
      Visitor Protocol
      • 13 Nov 2024
      • 1 Minute to read
        Contents

        Visitor Protocol

        • Updated on 13 Nov 2024
        • 1 Minute to read
          Article summary

          There are two types of visitors:

          1. Those who have never attended a House Church.

          2. Those who are switching House Churches.

          Your approach will differ based on the type of visitor.

          First-Time Visitors

          When someone new expresses interest in your House Church, it’s best to meet in person first. You can arrange to meet after Sunday service or in a public place. This meeting helps you understand what they’re looking for and ensures they are aligned on the purpose of House Church. Emphasize that commitment is a core value at SP and explain its importance.

          Key points to cover:

          • Commitment

            • Attend Sunday Service regularly.

            • Attend House Church weekly.

          • Purpose of House Church

            • It’s a place to encounter God.

            • The goal is spiritual growth.

            • What’s unique about your House Church.

          • Visitor Guidelines

            • Visitors can attend up to 3 different House Churches.

            • They can visit each House Church up to two times before deciding whether to commit.

          This conversation helps set clear expectations and may reveal whether House Church is the right fit for them.

          Visitors Switching House Churches

          People switch House Churches for various reasons, such as:

          • Scheduling conflicts

          • Conflict with a member or leader

          • Feeling disconnected

          • Not experiencing growth

          Before they commit to your House Church, it’s important to:

          • Talk with them about why they left their previous House Church and if they received their leader’s blessing.

          • Reach out to their previous leader to understand any issues.

          The goal is to be prepared when welcoming these members, not to find reasons to reject them.

          Why We Don’t Reject People

          House Church is meant to be a place where people, even those who are broken or challenging, can encounter God and be transformed.

          "A church without the broken is a broken church." — Ed Stetzer

          “But Jesus called sinners and unbelievers to follow Him. He didn’t demand that they change first. He didn’t even demand that they believe He was the Son of God. He knew that if they just followed, if they just took a step in His direction, it would change them” — Andy Stanley

          What's Next