Encounter Church STL

Hospitality Training

Everything you need to serve with confidence

Go beyond expectations. Make people feel seen, valued, and welcomed at every turn.

Key Responsibilities

Every member of the Hospitality team, regardless of role, is expected to embody these five principles every Sunday.

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Champion Guest Experience

Be the first to notice and meet the unspoken needs of every guest, from first-time visitors to long-time members, through proactive and personalized hospitality.

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Unreasonable Hospitality

Go beyond expectations in surprising and thoughtful ways that make people feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Do more than what is asked.

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Collaborate Creatively

Work closely with other ministry teams to align on environment and experience goals. We don't operate in a silo.

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Operational Readiness

Manage supplies, inventory, and logistics to keep all hospitality environments fully resourced and prepared before every service.

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Evaluate and Improve

Regularly assess guest feedback and environment standards. After each service, communicate with the team about celebrations and areas for improvement.

Your Sunday Rundown

Select your role below to see your specific responsibilities before, during, and after each service.

30 Min Before

Setup and Prep

  • Team lead communicates zones and distributes offering baskets. Know which section you are covering.
  • Stock paper towels and a small trash can on each side of the back of the auditorium.
  • Straighten all rows of chairs so the room looks sharp before doors open.
15 Min Before

Doors Open

  • Welcome every person entering the auditorium with genuine warmth.
  • Make sure new guests get a personal welcome from you. Introduce yourself and help them feel at home.
  • Look for opportunities to serve: help people find seats, remove cloth covers from front section chairs, offer pens or sermon notes as needed.
  • Distribute sermon notes to guests as they come in.
During Service

In the Room

  • Take up the offering in your assigned section.
  • Assist with other service elements as needed (communion, etc.).
  • Act quickly and quietly to minimize distractions like spills or disruptions.
  • Help guests who arrive late find a seat with as little distraction as possible.
After Service

Wrap Up

  • Prop the auditorium doors open once the service has been dismissed.
  • Comb every row for trash and tidy up the chairs.
  • Regroup with your team to share celebrations and evaluate the service.
Before Service

Position and Prep

  • Stand at the front of the aisles facing the back of the auditorium so you can point out open seats to incoming guests.
  • Greet guests warmly and invite them to move toward the center of the aisles to keep traffic flowing.
  • Accommodate any special needs for guests: earplugs, moving chairs, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
During Service

Lobby Presence

  • Serve and stay attentive to anyone who steps out of the auditorium.
  • Help guests re-enter the auditorium with as little distraction as possible.
  • Assist late arrivals in entering through the Tots lobby side to minimize disruption.
After Service

Wrap Up

  • Comb the rows for trash and tidy up the chairs.
  • Check on bathroom supplies and help tidy up restrooms.
  • Regroup with your team to share celebrations and evaluate the service.

What We Expect

These aren't rules for the sake of rules. Each one exists so that every guest and every team member has the best possible experience.

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Stay Proactive

Don't wait to be asked. If you see a need, meet it. Unreasonable hospitality means acting before someone has to ask for help.

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Own the Environment

The condition of our spaces reflects the excellence of God's house. Keep every area clean, stocked, and presentation-ready at all times.

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Debrief Every Week

After every service, take a few minutes with your team to celebrate what went well and identify anything that can be improved next week.

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Questions? Need Help?

If you have any questions, want to talk through your role, or just want someone to walk alongside you before your first Sunday serving, reach out to Rich or Bitsi. We want you to feel completely prepared and confident before you ever step in.