Most churches today hope to be a place of welcome, but are they? A recent study of US Protestant churches by LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 congregations on how they greet their guests.

The study suggests welcoming is a top priority for almost all churches, and fewer than one per cent of congregations admit making no effort at welcome.

'Pastors are eager to say their churches are actively welcoming visitors to their services,' said Scott McConnell, LifeWay Research's executive director.

For example, 96 per cent of churches provide a chance for newcomers to meet the pastor and 95 per cent have greeters at the building entrance.

Other methods of welcome include cards to fill out (used by 83 per cent of churches), service time set aside for regulars to meet newcomers (69 per cent) and information sessions about the life of the church (65 per cent).

Churches might also have greeters awaiting guests in the car park (24 per cent), or ask guests to identify themselves in the service by standing (17 per cent). Two in five (42 per cent) of churches offer gifts to visitors: among those who do, the most popular gifts would be a mug/cup (38 per cent), food or a welcome packet about the church (25 per cent).

One in 10 churches use other welcoming methods, such as follow-up by personal visit, (two per cent), email or phone call (both one per cent).

'Churches often believe they are a friendly church because the members are friendly to one another. But they don't think about walking in the shoes of first-time guests,' said president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, Thom S Rainer.

'Welcoming those new to the church has to be the constant and intentional posture of the entire congregation.'

Rainer, author of Becoming a Welcoming Church, noted that meet-and-greet times – while popular – can also put people off.

'Stand-and-greet times could be part of a welcoming experience for guests, but church members would need clear and firm guidance on being friendly to guests before and after the service,' he said. 'Friendliness only during stand-and-greet times can do more harm than good.'

Rainer added: 'The Bible is full of verses on hospitality, so churches should be full of hospitality as well. Congregations should strive to create environments where guests are fully welcomed.'