In the midst of Holy Week, we are getting ready to welcome visitors – some who attend a few times a year, and others who may be stepping through church doors for the very first time. We want those folks to feel welcome. We want them to feel like this could be a place for them.
That’s why something as simple as a nametag matters.
We sometimes forget how intimidating church can be to a newcomer. People don’t always know where to sit, when to stand, or what to say. If they’re brave enough to show up, it helps if the people around them seem open, approachable, and ready to welcome them in.
Wearing a nametag might feel like a small thing – but it signals something big: we were expecting you.
When church members wear nametags, we’re not just making life easier for the newcomer trying to remember names – we’re sending a message that we expect new people to be here. That this is not a closed circle. That we don’t take pride in being so familiar that we no longer need introductions. And that we understand the Christian calling to extend hospitality to the stranger.
It’s easy for churches to get complacent about this. But when members stop wearing nametags, they’re unintentionally saying, “everyone here already knows me,” which means… we’re not really expecting anyone new.
So consider this your personal challenge: Wear your nametag. Wear it on Easter. Wear it every Sunday. With intention and joy. Because at its heart, this is Stewardship.
Stewardship is about how we care for the gifts God has given us – and that includes our relationships. Stewardship isn’t just about finances – it’s about people. It’s about building a culture of connection, of welcome, of intentional community. Wearing a nametag is one small way we can steward our relationships: by helping people feel known, included, and remembered.
When we welcome people into our churches, we also help bring them closer to God. A nametag won’t do that alone – but it’s a start. And best of all, you don’t need a fancy committee or a new budget line to do it. You just need to show up, smile, and stick on that little name badge.
Let’s keep building a church where everyone feels they belong – including the moment they see your nametag!
