Welcoming A Guest Preacher Ensures A Great Event

By Judy Sullivan


Many church congregations will be presented with a guest preacher at certain times throughout the year to speak about certain topics. Any visit by an outsider will require certain steps to be taken in order for the minister or speaker to be fully versed on why a request is being made. The process is a formality for most congregations because the individual is usually known throughout the community as a well rounded speaker.

The invitation to speak is often accomplished by the current pastor, and the first contact that the two individuals will have will be done through a conversation over the telephone. Certain forms may be used to make a more formal request, which would be required to meet Church standards of conduct. Certain facts must be compiled before the visit is placed before the Church board for approval.

The speaker will need to provide information on a form that will solidify details for each event. The form will convey the reasons that the visit is necessary. People are often asked to speak during events that celebrate life, and death. Baptisms, revivals, and seasonal holidays are notable events that need to be formally recognized by persons of faith.

To advertise the engagement, office staff are tasked with sending a formal announcement out to all parishioners. The notice is sent out early in an effort to build attendance at the celebration and to spread interest throughout the city. If needed, the coordinators will take care of any lodging expenses for the speaker.

Certain spaces in the form that is sent out will allow the speaker to make known any special needs. The space could list items that would be presented to people who are being baptized that day, or the person might ask the choir to sing several songs in celebration of a seasonal holiday. This opportunity to make a request will ultimately make the speaker feel welcomed before they arrive.

Not all members of the congregation are familiar with the special speaker or their background. The information that is gained from the forms is used to create a biography that can be handed to guests when they enter the building. The paper would contain a brief history on his marital status and any children at home. The congregation will warm to the person when these details are revealed.

When inviting a person to speak at the church, certain costs must be discussed because church monies must be alloyed to cover those cost. Any speaking fees will be presented, and additional costs that the speaker will incur before arriving to the location, such as fuel costs. The Board will have to vote on all costs associated with the visit.

When the visit concludes, the guest preacher should have the opportunity to meet all members of the congregation. The event can also be posted in the weekly newsletter. Any fees owed to the speaker should be provided after the event. Certain speeches are designed to introduce the person to the congregation because the church needs to fill a position on the pulpit.




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