Why does this matter?
All sorts of people come through the grand and slightly intimidating front steps of Scots on a Sunday: those seeking God and perhaps coming to a church for the first time, those returning after a bad experience at church in the past, perhaps a visitor to the city where a change of context is a time to rethink the big questions of life. Regulars coming to church may have had a fantastic or a terrible week and are struggling to get there. The reception people receive at the door can set the tone for church being a place where everyone is welcome – no matter who they are or how they are feeling. Your welcome may be part of the morning being a significant encounter with God.
We have three teams that work together to help people move from their first visit to being fully connected to our church community and to our mission to the city and the world.
What is Involved?
- Arrive at 9:45am and grab the Connect Team box from the Church Office to start the setup of the tablets and printers on the bar tables just outside the auditorium. The Coordinator or Check-in Team Leader will have a swipe access card to the Office.
- Pair Tablet 1 with Printer 1, and Tablet 2 with Printer 2. Use the powerpoints just inside the auditorium on the left and right; make sure wires are not a tripping hazard
- Join the prayer at 9:55am sharp with the Connect (Check-in, Greet and Pathway) Teams and Morning Tea in the meeting room in the Church Office. Help them grab a lanyard from the Connect Box afterwards at the Check-in area.
- Click here [link pending] to read how to use the Nametag System
- Click here [link pending] for the contingency plan if the technology isn’t working
- Check-in and print nametags for those already inside church, including Kids Church (you can check against the Run Sheet).
- Check-in and print nametags for each person as they arrive, and encourage them to grab a Bible, bulletin and pen from the Welcome Table
- Explain that church is a place where children are present, and wearing a name tag is part of our processes for keeping church safe for everyone. If people do not want to be entered into our system, provide them with a hand written nametag with their first name or “Visitor #1” and Whatsapp the Connect team. If they decline a nametag contact the Connect Coordinator who may need to ask them to leave the building.
- Friendly conversation is encouraged to build connection and warmth as people enter church.
- For first-timers, some general orientation of ‘what to expect’ would be helpful
- Toilets: Women’s on the ground floor on left and upstairs on right, Men’s upstairs on left.
- Parents area: the seats in the ‘cafe’ area are reserved for parents with young children and prams
- Where to sit: people can sit anywhere but encourage them to fill seats downstairs first, from the middle of the rows
- For first-timers, some general orientation of ‘what to expect’ would be helpful
- At 10:45am, the Check-in Team member can return their lanyard and join the service as normal
- The Check-in Team Leader should stay in their role at the entrance until church finishes. Keep one laptop/printer setup for check-in, and run updates on the other tablet if required.
- After the kids return to the auditorium after Kids Church (or 11:15am if there is no Kids Church), Check-In Team Leader should lock and close the wooden/glass doors for child protection purposes (there is a door code with instructions between the name tag printing stations and the lift). Do not leave the far right door propped open.
- After church, the Check-in Team Leader to pack up tablets, printers, extension cords into the Connect Box (be careful not to block exits for people leaving)
- Check-In Team Leader to return the Connect Box to the church office. There will be a Connect WhatsApp group where you can share any helpful details for following up newcomers – are they one-off tourists, looking for a new church, etc. This will greatly help the Pathway team. Tap something in during a dull moment in the talk or during News.
- Please notify Admin / the Setup Team Coordinator if we are running low on Dymo labels or there are any supplies that need to be purchased
Team Leader
- On the day, give clear direction and constructive feedback to your team. It’s the Team Leader’s role to provide on-the-job training and direct the Check-in Team in best practice
- Be familiar with the job description, particularly the vision for your team, as outlined at the start of this page.
- Be mindful of your team. Your role is to set the vision and tone, and to ensure your team members understand their roles. Be alert to those new to serving in this role and connect with them during the week.
- Familiarise yourself with the Kids Church Coordinator rostered on Elvanto that day and let your team members know
- If any complex issues arise on the day, escalate to your Coordinator or, if appropriate, the Session.
- Give your team encouragement and feedback for serving afterwards in person, or by text or email. Give your Coordinator any feedback as to what worked, what didn’t and suggestions for improvement
- Pray for your team leading up to and on the day
- Set an example: aim to arrive ahead of time, be focused on the task and be gracious with team members.
- On the day, if people do not show, contact your Coordinator. It is their job to address this.
Team Coordinator
The Coordinator(s) works behind the scenes to resource this ministry. You can read more about it here. A Coordinator will be rostered on each week (look in Elvanto) to deal with last minute drop-outs.