As well as keeping our eyes and hearts fixed on God (‘above’) and caring for one another (‘within‘), the Church is also called to share the good news, in word and deed, with those around them who do not (yet) know Christ (’outside’).
And although this desire does exist in many churches, it sometimes feels like a huge step: where do we find the energy and creativity for new ideas? Not to mention the manpower, the time and the money. How can this be achieved in what might be a small congregation? How do they actually manage it, in all those pioneering churches and mission churches, which are often not that big either?
Or are we perhaps overcomplicating things? Consultant Petra de Jong-Heins is optimistic: opening our doors to the local community needn’t be a major effort. She explains how this works and offers seven practical ideas.
Facing outwards
Churches often organise all sorts of activities, from coffee mornings to youth evenings and outings for the elderly. The trick is to consciously ensure that such activities are also open to the wider community: aimed at non-members.
Seven ideas
To begin with, why not make a note of the activities already taking place in the church? From these, choose one activity to which you can easily invite people from outside the church, so that, as a congregation, you can build relationships with people who do not yet know Christ. Many occasions lend themselves to being used for missionary work. To give you some inspiration, here are seven examples:
- Literally move the coffee break before or after the service ‘outdoors’, so that it’s easy for people to join in. Start, for example, on the first Sunday of the month and design an attractive flyer for local residents to warmly invite them ‘for a coffee’. A flyer handed out ‘with a warm handshake and a chat’ is always more effective than a leaflet in the letterbox. Arrange the bar tables so that they are clearly visible and accessible from the street. Of course, you can do the same for the weekday coffee mornings too.
- Do people aged 70 and over receive a small gift at Christmas? Or a fruit basket on Thanksgiving? If so, why not make double the usual number of gifts and hand out the extra ones to people in the neighbourhood? You could also give people aged 70 and over two gifts: one to keep for themselves and one to give to someone else. Include a lovely card mentioning the occasion and the blessing you’d like the other person to share in.
- Invite neighbours or friends round for the monthly meal. If there’s enough space, serve the meal in a neutral area such as the hall.
- Give the primary school children round the corner a voucher for a free pancake at the church’s annual pancake party.
- Let young people bring a friend along to the annual youth camp.
- Ask the local community centres to join forces in organising a bingo event for a charitable cause.
- Ask senior citizens to each bring one other person along to the annual seniors’ outing. If anyone is unsure who to bring along, you can ask a local community organisation, such as the Present Foundation, whether there are any neighbours who would like to come along.
A good experience
When you invite people to church, you naturally want them to feel at ease and to feel that they are being noticed. It can help to make this clear: for example, give hosts and hostesses – who are there for people to have a chat with – a distinctive badge or jacket.
For newcomers, it can be useful to have a leaflet or newsletter setting out the activities and (special) services planned for the coming period. This helps to ensure a degree of follow-up and allows the relationship to develop further.
Give each other time
Inviting other people along may be a new experience for your congregation. If it feels like a big step, the trick is to break it down into smaller steps. For example, why not start by inviting neighbours only on the first Sunday of the month, rather than every Sunday? Also, give each other time to learn, practise and be equipped.
Fancy a chat?
Would you like to discuss further how your parish can be more mission-focused? Get in touch with one of the advisers.
For more tips on how to make visitors feel welcome, take part in the webinar A welcoming parish.
