Granilux VP of Solutions and Consulting, Jeremiah Main, will be at the Church Facilities Expo in Birmingham, AL, September 14 – 16. There, he will present “From Gatekeepers to Greeters: Balancing Hospitality, Safety, and Situational Awareness in Houses of Worship” on Thursday, September 16 at 1 p.m.
About this session:
The most effective greeters, ushers, and safety team members understand that their first role is not to be guards—it’s to be ambassadors of welcome who are trained to recognize and respond to concerns. Churches strive to create environments where every guest feels welcomed, valued, and safe. Yet many faith communities struggle to balance a welcoming atmosphere with the need for vigilance and preparedness. When safety team members, greeters, and ushers focus too heavily on security, they may unintentionally appear intimidating or unapproachable. Conversely, when hospitality is emphasized without awareness, opportunities to identify and address potential concerns may be missed.
This session explores how churches can cultivate a culture of welcoming vigilance by integrating hospitality ministry with safety and security practices. Using CISA’s Power of Hello for Houses of Worship framework, participants will learn how simple, intentional engagement can serve as both a ministry opportunity and an effective security tool. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to train greeters, ushers, and safety personnel to recognize concerning behaviors, engage guests appropriately, and respond professionally while preserving a warm and welcoming environment.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish Between Hospitality and Security Roles:
Recognize how greeters, ushers, and safety team members can support both hospitality and security objectives without appearing intimidating or creating barriers to worship. - Apply the “Power of Hello” Methodology:
Utilize CISA’s OHNO model—Observe, Initiate a Hello, Navigate the Risk, and Obtain Help—to enhance situational awareness while engaging guests in a welcoming and respectful manner. - Develop Behavioral-Based Engagement Practices:
Implement practical techniques for recognizing suspicious behaviors, engaging individuals appropriately, and escalating concerns through established church procedures when necessary.
