Recorded Webinar—Intro to Invite Welcome Connect: A Framework for Evangelism, Hospitality, and Belonging
- Steve Welch
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
The Invite Welcome Connect ministry is helping congregations across The Episcopal Church—and beyond—reclaim the heart of evangelism, strengthen authentic hospitality, and nurture deep belonging. In a recent webinar, Executive Director Steve Welch was joined by the Rev. Chris Harris and longtime leader Mary McGregor to introduce the framework, share its origins, and highlight how churches of every size and context can begin this transformative work.
A Ministry Rooted in Love and Adaptability
Invite Welcome Connect is not a rigid program or one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it provides a flexible framework designed to help congregations discover and live into their unique gifts. Whether a parish is large or small, urban or rural, thriving or struggling, the practices of invitation, welcome, and connection can be adapted to local needs. While some assume it is a “church growth program,” leaders are clear: growth is not the primary goal, but often a natural byproduct of transformed hearts and renewed relationships.
Core Values That Shape the Work
At its foundation, Invite Welcome Connect emphasizes four core values:
Prayer first – Grounding all efforts in God’s vision and purpose.
Intentionality – Doing the work of welcome and outreach with clear purpose.
Relational focus – Prioritizing people and their stories over numbers and metrics.
Accountability – Encouraging experimentation, measuring outcomes, and adapting as needed.
This commitment to prayerful, intentional, relational, and accountable ministry helps congregations foster cultures of welcome that are authentic, sustainable, and life-giving.
The Three Essentials: Invite, Welcome, Connect
The framework unfolds in three interconnected areas:
Invite – Encouraging personal storytelling, extending genuine invitations, and being visible in the wider community. Invitation is about authenticity, not marketing.
Welcome – Creating a culture of radical hospitality that sees and honors newcomers. From signage and greeter training to intentional follow-up, every touchpoint shapes whether visitors feel they belong.
Connect – Helping newcomers move from guests to active participants by discerning their gifts, inviting them into meaningful ministries, and remaining open to the changes they bring to the community.
Throughout the webinar, panelists emphasized that these practices are not checklists but ongoing disciplines that must be cultivated across the whole congregation.
Tools, Resources, and Training
Invite Welcome Connect began with the vision of founder Mary Foster Parmer more than 15 years ago and has since expanded through workshops, coaching, and most recently On Demand training—bringing the ministry’s resources to congregations year-round in an accessible digital format. Additional resources include the book Invite Welcome Connect: Stories to Transform Your Church (available through Forward Movement), downloadable study guides, and free articles and tools on the ministry’s website.
An Invitation to Begin
Congregations interested in launching Invite Welcome Connect are encouraged to start by gathering leaders, exploring the available resources, and discerning together how this framework can support their context. From workshops and coaching to self-paced On Demand training, there are multiple pathways to engage with the ministry.
As Welch summarized: “Invite Welcome Connect is a framework, not a paint-by-numbers program. It requires commitment, creativity, and a response to the Holy Spirit. Rooted in love, hospitality, and accountability, it is designed to transform lives and church communities.”
📦 Resources from the Intro to Invite Welcome Connect Webinar
Training Resources
Invite Welcome Connect On Demand — digital training platform with modules for Invite, Welcome, and Connect, including greeter training. Explore On Demand Training
Invite Welcome Connect: Stories to Transform Your Church by Mary Foster Parmer — available from Forward Movement. Order the Book
Practical Tools
Time & Talent Survey (Christ Church Cranbrook)
“Plan Your Visit” example page (Christ Church Cranbrook)
Articles & Guides
“3 Game-Changing Texts to Turn First-Time Guests into Regular Attendees” — blog post by Invite Welcome Connect. Read the Article
Consultation & Community
Free 30-minute consultation about Invite Welcome Connect in your context. Schedule a Consultation
Subscribe to the Invite Welcome Connect mailing list for news, articles, and new resources. Join the Mailing List (scroll to the bottom of the page).
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