How to Write a Welcome for a Church Anniversary Program

A church anniversary program is a cause for celebration. No doubt the church has seen and experienced many changes over the years. Pastors come and go. Membership grows. The church building itself even goes through changes in terms of size, location and exterior and interior remodeling and makeovers. Use the history of the church to give your welcome speech relevancy and texture. Write about the good as well as the challenging times the church and its members have faced and triumphantly overcome to craft an engaging speech the entire audience will enjoy.

Start by writing a basic outline for the speech. Include an introduction, body, and closing. Use the outline as a guide to make sure the speech flows from each section.

Write your general welcome to members and guests in the introduction. Honor protocol and etiquette by welcoming guests on behalf of the pastor, his wife (by name), and members of the church.

State the theme for the anniversary, if there is one. Include a bit of background about the theme. Highlight any activities the church is conducting in conjunction, such as helping the homeless, starting a school or community outreach efforts.

Write the body of the speech. Write a brief history of the church, including the date the church was founded and the name of the pastor. Give the audience a historical reference such as the name of the United States President at the time, the population of the city, or inventions that didn’t exist like the television or computers, and hit songs and dances of the era.

Include a funny story about the history of the church, such as faulty equipment, surviving snowstorms or non-working utilities. Interview the pastor and elder members for church trivia.

Write about how the church has grown in terms of membership and activities over the years. Incorporate relevant scriptures that tie into how faith has helped the church to grow and survive challenges.

Invite guests to come back and attend a regular church service. Write words that describe why your church is special and what they will gain by worshiping at your church. State the days of worship and hours of services.

Take a tip from Irene Goggans of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has been giving welcome speeches at anniversary programs for St. Matthew C.M.E. Church since 1970. “Remember to thank guests who do not belong to the church for attending. Take a minute to thank those who worked hard in planning the anniversary program near the end of your welcome speech," she says. "Call key volunteers by name, or the anniversary program committee members as a body, and ask them to stand. Acknowledge their efforts publicly. The church may need to call on many of the same people to volunteer for the next anniversary program!”

End your written speech by thanking guests again for attending, and close by introducing the next speaker, or returning the podium to the master or mistress of ceremonies, whichever applies.

Rehearse your speech by reading it aloud to one or two friends or family members. Use their feedback to make revisions where needed.