People want to belong. We want to be part of something larger than ourselves. Yet opportunities are limited, especially when compared to just a generation or two ago when people knew everyone in their neighborhoods and often worked for the same company their entire careers.
Today, neighbors move in and out. People switch jobs on a regular basis … and many now work from their homes without interaction beyond their computer screens.
This leaves people feeling isolated, but it also provides the church with a natural place where people can truly belong.
How can we as the local church help better connect our people to others in our congregation?
Sunday services are the obvious starting point. We gather together to worship, to study, to fellowship. Yet if we’re honest, Sundays can be hectic, and for some, sporadic.
Are there ways beyond Sunday mornings (and maybe an occasional potluck dinner or fall festival serving opportunity) that we can draw together our people on a regular basis with the goal of engaging with others from the church?
Here are a couple of easy ways you can get started this year.
1. Serve Outside Your Walls
Chances are, there is a food pantry, rescue mission, crisis pregnancy center, or homeless shelter near your church. If you don’t have a relationship with the leaders there, now is a great time to reach out to them and introduce you and your church.
Then, start planning what regular serving opportunities could look like for your church. Maybe you start with quarterly serving days or evenings. Or you could jump in with monthly opportunities.
The key is to be consistent (the third Saturday of every month, or the first Monday in February, May, August, and November) so people know when you are serving.
What ministry or other non-profits should your church partner with?
2. Host Movie Nights
Is it okay for your church’s members to gather to … have fun?! We sure think so. And a movie night at your church is a great way to bring your people together for a fun and inspiring event.
Here are some ways your church can maximize a movie event in your building:
- Church-wide movie night with popcorn and candy!
- Couples’ date night with childcare provided by students
- Student ministry movie event
- Men’s or Women’s ministry movie event
- A movie event leading into a churchwide Bible study
- A Sunday sermon followed by a Sunday afternoon movie touching the same biblical theme
From Bible stories to documentaries, from dramas to comedies, our friends at Faith Content Network provide your church with the opportunity to host movies and other special events as they are playing in theaters or soon afterward. In addition to these current releases, FCN offers popular, older films.
While there is no cost to host, your church sells tickets to cover the expense. You can learn more at the FCN website.
As we enter 2023, let’s make a commitment to helping the people of our church feel like they truly belong and are part of something much bigger than themselves.
About the Author
How can we as the local church help better connect our people to others in our congregation? Glad you asked. In a new blog post, our friends at Fatih Content Network share how we can help the people of our church feel like they truly belong and are part of something much bigger than themselves.