You know how when you are church hopping, trying to find a good church...every one stops the service and says "Greet someone new around you..." I hate that. How many folks want to go to a place where they know no one at all, and start hugging folks, perfect strangers? It's so uncomfortable for most of us, but they all do it!
2007-03-09 01:03:32 · 15 answers · asked by WriterMom 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow, hugging is taking it a bit too far. The 'greet someone new' time is based on a theory that you will enjoy your time more at a church where you feel more connected. If you've got any questions about the church you're more likely to ask someone whose hand you've already shaken. They hope this helps you come back. To avoid too much touching, take a step back and do a polite wave indicating that you'd rather not make too much contact. To avoid the whole darn thing, just stay seated. Most people will not push you into a conversation. Happy church hopping!
2007-03-09 01:10:56 · answer #1 · answered by Nikki P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I can say my church doesnt do that, but before the chruch service ever starts you will get many hand shakes. Cause everyone just about goes around and says hi to everyone. I would rather a church greet me than not even if I was new. Let me tell you of this one church my husband and I went to and they was not friendly at all. No one came around to shake hands with us, so we both got up and went around to shake there hands. You should have seen there faces when we did that. I allowed I never want to go back to that church because I want to feel welcomed in God's house.
2007-03-09 09:14:49 · answer #2 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because, Not just in church, but just about anywhere where civility is practiced, a handshake, a hello, a welcoming, friendly smile, work wonders between strangers!
2007-03-09 09:09:25 · answer #3 · answered by skydancerwi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just a way of trying to make people feel welcome, that's all. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable.
I'm one of those people in church that if I see someone new, I'll go up to them, shake their hands, introduce myself, and ask them their names. Then I'll tell them I hope they enjoy the service, and I'll leave them alone.
USUALLY those people come up to me after the service, and I chat with them then.
I think it would be much worse if I went to a church, and no one talked to me. I wouldn't feel very welcome at ALL, and I probably wouldn't go back.
2007-03-09 09:16:08 · answer #4 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is intended as a form of welcome, as a way to generate unity within the church. Most are looking at it as a way for member of the congregation to meet other members that may not have met yet as well as a way for new members to meet and be met by members of the congregation.
2007-03-10 03:20:27 · answer #5 · answered by gotherunereadings 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greeting your neighbor is a basic belief in the Christian religion. It is a common thing to do to open people up and make them feel like they belong.
B
2007-03-09 09:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by Bacchus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At my church, the priest simply asks "are there any guests with us today who would like to stand and be welcomed?" That's it. If they stand, we say hello. We don't hug them. If they don't stand, then we leave them be. I think it's very welcoming.
2007-03-09 09:16:40 · answer #7 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they really want you to come back, especially if you're not a Christian, so you can be saved. Or, they just are really nice people.
2007-03-09 09:37:25 · answer #8 · answered by Me Encanta Espanol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a friendly spirit in the air that moves .
churches do this so you will feel welcome there.
2007-03-09 09:07:44 · answer #9 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
who says you have to hug? we say hi and maybe shake hands.
2007-03-09 09:06:46 · answer #10 · answered by <><><> 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋