Welcoming - Certification
Overview
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Be part of an elite group of churches across the United States
who have been certified as Welcoming Congregations, earning this seal.
Welcome to the new Rethink Church Welcoming-Certification page. You will find information and resources that were available to you on Ignitingministry.org as well as updated welcoming certification worksheets.
become a designated "welcoming congregation"!
How Certification Works
Welcoming is not the task of a committee or individual, but rather a lifestyle shared by each member of a congregation. When we truly welcome people, we open our doors and show that church is not just a place to go, but something we do. We are connecting them with people in our communities and around the world. The welcoming certification program is a four year program that celebrates and recognizes the efforts to proactively prepare to receive newcomers. To begin the certification program, simply complete the following steps:
- Download the year 1 worksheet and identify tasks that you may already be doing ( a total of 100 points required for year 1)
- Provide supporting documentation of selected tasks for certification
- Submit the worksheet and supporting documentation to your District Superintendent for his/her review and signature
- Submit signed worksheet and documentation to the Igniting Ministry office for certification approval.
The basic year 1 worksheet provides many options, and each successive worksheet builds upon the basics to help transform a church’s welcoming lifestyle in the course of four years.
When a church becomes certified the first year, they receive a plaque with a welcoming seal for display. For each successive year they are certified, they will receive seals to add to their plaque. Displaying this plaque in a highly visible area of the church will bring a sense of pride to your members and affirm to newcomers your willingness to welcome them into your fellowship. In addition to the plaque, a ‘Welcoming Certified’ designation will be added to your church’s find-a-church profile as a way to call attention to your church as newcomers search for a church in your area. This is a great opportunity to update your church’s profile. If you have not reviewed it in a while, you may not know about its enhancements.
Other ways to be more welcoming is by attending training events or by using advertising and welcoming resources available here, so your church can develop new hospitality skills to help bring people through your church doors and give them a reason to stay.
Is Your Church Certified?
Use Find-A-Church to see if your church has received the Certified Welcoming Congregation designation. This is also a good time to update your church's profile. If you haven't reviewed it in a while, you may not know about its enhancements.
Apply
How does your Congregation Qualify?
To qualify as a Welcoming Congregation, you must achieve a minimum of 100 points per year, as shown on our certification worksheet. Each welcoming and inviting effort on the worksheet is assigned a point value. Use this worksheet as a guide to select those tasks or functions you would like to achieve this year (or already have in place).
Once your worksheet is complete and your district superintendent has validated the worksheet, submit it to us along with documentation (photos, copies and/or samples) for each category checked. You will receive your plaque and Find-a-Church designation within three weeks. If you have any questions, please call us (877-281-6535).
