The Greeters’ Ministry makes a visit to City Harvest Church a hospitable experience.
Contributed By Jamie Lim
Part of the duties of a Greeter is to make visitors feel welcomed.
It’s impossible to miss the Greeters at CHC. Clad in their yellow polo T-shirts that read “A New Day,” these ministry members are everywhere to be found.
GM members serve as a one-stop, walking information resource, through whom visitors can find out all about the church. The Greeters are responsible for identifying newcomers, engaging them, and making sure they get the gifts for first-time visitors.
Spotting first-time visitors is not easy. Even the man in charge of this 3-year-old ministry, Johann Sim, a zone supervisor in CHC, admitted that he personally has a hard time doing so, but “I have to give it up to my Greeters. They are really good at identifying first-timers and visitors,” he said.
Part of a Greeter’s uniform is a warm, bright smile and friendly demeanor. GM members are thoughtfully stationed from Level 1 in Suntec Singapore all the way to the main worship premises on Level 6, so that they would not miss anyone on his or her way to church.
GREETER vs. USHER
Many may mistake these Greeters for church ushers. After all, both ministries are people-oriented and those serving in these two ministries greet incoming members and friends. But Sim explains that both are very different in nature.
“In a church setting, ushers are usually more task-oriented. They make sure that seats in the hall are filled systematically and they help run the service, such as the offering or communion segments. Greeters however, engage the people, especially first-time visitors, and go beyond the customary ‘Hi!’ and seek to know more about the individual.”
GM members recently received training from head of hospitality at CHC, Yong Te-Chong. Yong emphasized the need to develop an attitude of hospitality and excellence. Key words for any good host include “extra,” “quicker,” “earlier,” “more,” “the unusual things,” “the thoughtful things,” and “do better.”
GM member Joseph Neo, said, “The training challenged me to constantly think of ideas to connect with newcomers and members using top-notch services that will bless and welcome them.”
WORKING HAND IN HAND
The nature of this ministry requires the most up-to-date information. Every GM member needs to be in tune with the church’s latest events and happenings, so briefing sessions are held 90 minutes before the service starts. A short time of prayer follows and their “work” begins. Every single GM member is totally dedicated to making someone’s day in CHC.
Each week, members of the Air Crew Fellowship complement the GM. The inclusion of these professionally-trained personnel has enhanced the quality of the ministry in the area of customer service.
Based at the Visitors’ Lounge, the Aircrew Fellowship members create an excellent ambience at the Visitors Lounge, serving Starbucks coffee, and bringing visitors around the hall and Attributes bookstore, even making sure that they have translation headsets if they require them.
If you are keen to join the Greeters’ Ministry, sign up at www.chc.org.sg or email info@chc.org.sg for more information.
Air Crew Fellowship member, Celest Foo, is involved in training the Greeters. CN PHOTO: Elvis Chiu
Join The Greeters’ Ministry!
Air Crew Fellowship member, Celest Foo, 29, is an ACTA certified trainer. She has been in the service industry for 13 years and has conducted training workshops in customer service for a major leading airline for the last seven years. With her vast experience, fervent passion to serve, as well as her expertise in hospitality, Foo’s teaching sessions are part of the training enrichments program for members in the Greeters’ Ministry.
Join the Greeters if you:
• Have a friendly disposition and an approachable demeanor
• Have a passion for service
• Have a heart for all kinds of people
• Are confident and unafraid to en-gage and befriend others
• Are mature mentally, emotionally and spiritually
• Are at least an Ordinary Member in CHC
