A few years ago, we moved and had to find a new church. I figured after a lifetime of going to church, it would be a breeze. But church shopping turned out to be more difficult than I’d anticipated.

One of the hardest things was actually meeting people. Sure, we had some surface exchanges during the greeting time. We made small talk in the foyer with strangers. But getting past pleasantries and making new friends was difficult, even once we settled on a congregation.

I’m not alone. As Nadya writes in How to Make Friends at Church, “I’ve encountered too many stories of people leaving churches (or quitting church altogether) because they struggled to make friends.” She provides wise and practical tips for how anyone can connect with people and enter the life of a new church.

Of course, making friends is a two-way street. If you want to connect with people visiting your church, check out our resource on the topic. Welcoming Visitors is a 22-page resource offering biblical reflection, wisdom from experienced pastors, and practical tips on how to ensure visitors feel welcome when they visit your church.