The Service Starts in the Parking Lot: How Sunday Hospitality Shapes Discipleship

A young couple slowly pulled into the church parking lot. It was their first visit to any church in years, and they felt nervous.

But right away, something felt different.

There was a sign out front that actually made sense: “You’re Invited. Sundays at 10:00.” A volunteer waved them in with a smile and pointed them to a clearly marked guest parking space. From there, someone met them on the sidewalk, showed them where to go, and even walked with them to the kids’ check-in.

The building was clean, the signage was clear, and the worship team wasn’t still rehearsing on stage. The service started right on time. Although the message hadn’t even begun yet, they already knew this church was ready for them.

They felt safe. Seen. Expected.

That’s hospitality. And it matters more than we think.

More Than a Smile: Why Hospitality Is Discipleship

We often define discipleship in terms of small groups, Bible studies, or mentoring—and rightly so. However, for many people, the first steps into Christian community begin when they drive into your parking lot.

What they see, hear, and feel in those first few minutes expresses a great deal about what your church believes—about God, about people, and about the Gospel.

Paul encourages believers in Philippians 2:3–4 to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This mindset applies not only to relationships within the church but also to how we treat newcomers.

Thom Rainer writes, “Most guests who visit a church do not feel welcomed. They may feel awkward. They may even feel unwelcome. But very few feel truly welcomed.” (From Becoming a Welcoming Church, B&H Publishing, 2018.)

This isn’t just about attendance; it’s about discipleship. Sunday morning is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love in practical ways. It all starts with how we welcome people when they arrive.

What Guests Notice First

Visitors typically form their opinions about your church within the first 7 minutes. This means they make decisions long before the sermon, the songs, or the announcements.

Here are a few things they notice immediately:

• Are the signs clear and helpful?
• Is the entryway welcoming or cluttered?
• Is the worship team still practicing as people arrive?
• Are people smiling and initiating conversation?
• Does the service actually start when it’s supposed to?

If your team is still adjusting sound or rehearsing vocals when guests arrive, it can communicate a lack of preparation—and unintentionally make guests feel like intruders. When the service doesn’t start on time, it not only signals disorganization; it also adds awkward minutes of uncertainty for new people wondering what’s going on.

As Paul exhorts in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “All things should be done decently and in order.” That applies to worship—and it starts with being ready when people walk in the door.

Three Places Guests Pay Close Attention

In conversations with pastors, greeters, and guests across many churches, three areas consistently stand out as decision-makers for first-time visitors:

1. The Parking Lot

It’s true: some people will drive through your parking lot and leave if they don’t find a space. With all the effort it took to get them there, a friendly volunteer in the lot makes a huge difference. Don’t end the parking ministry five minutes before the service starts—many guests arrive during the first two songs.

2. The Nursery

When Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14), he wasn’t just making a statement about age—he was honoring value. Parents want to know that their children are safe, loved, and well cared for. Is your nursery clean, secure, and joyful?

3. The Women’s Restroom

This may surprise some, but women notice—and it matters. A clean, well-stocked, thoughtfully decorated restroom tells visitors, “We care about you.” The opposite also sends a message. I once visited a church where plastic sheets hung from the bathroom ceiling to catch drips. The lobby had 10 “NO” signs between the entrance and sanctuary. The artwork was outdated and awkward. It screamed, “We don’t trust you, and we don’t care.” That church eventually closed. The details were conveying what no sermon ever could.

Details Tell a Story

Decorations throughout the building communicate your church’s personality. Ask yourself:

• Is the art encouraging and relevant, or cheesy and outdated?
• Are there too many signs that say “Don’t” instead of “Welcome”?
• Does the environment reflect that people matter here?

Colossians 3:17 reminds us, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” That includes how we sweep the entryway, post signs, greet guests, and flush the toilets. Hospitality is holy work.

Hospitality as a Culture, Not a Committee

You don’t need a megachurch staff or expensive gear to make people feel welcomed. You need a mindset of gospel-centered hospitality—one that sees every Sunday as someone’s first Sunday, and every guest as a soul worth honoring.

Romans 12:13 says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

The service doesn’t begin with a countdown timer.

The service starts in the parking lot.

Action Steps: Building Hospitality into Sunday Worship

1. Adopt an Outward-Focused Mindset

• Encourage members to engage with newcomers, not just familiar friends.
• Share regularly from the pulpit about the importance of hospitality.

2. Create a Safe and Inviting Environment

• Eliminate clutter at entry points and on stage.
• Keep signage professional and intuitive.
• Reserve clearly marked guest parking near the main entrance.

3. Train and Empower a Greeter Team

• Position greeters in the lot, at doors, and inside the worship space.
• Teach them to identify and approach new guests without being intrusive.
• Remind them not to form “holy huddles” that ignore visitors.

4. Establish a Thoughtful Welcome Center

• Make it clearly visible and easy to approach.
• Stock it with info cards, brochures, and small welcome gifts.
• Use inviting language like “New Here? Start Here!”

5. Start on Time and Be Ready

• No last-minute rehearsals once people arrive.
• Begin the service promptly to honor guests’ time and reduce confusion.

6. Follow Up with Personal Connection

• Offer regular newcomer lunches or Q&A sessions.
• Pair guests with leaders or families to help them find their next step.

Let’s continue to shape environments where people don’t just attend—they’re welcomed, loved, and invited to take their next step toward Christ.