Ask Not What Your Church Can Do For You...
8:47 AMDo you ever feel like you could give a little back to the wonderful church community that looks after you? If so, you are in good company. A lot of people would like to get more involved, but just don’t know where to start. I thought I would put together a few ideas for church community members everywhere who want to start giving a little something back. Just remember, ask not what your church can do for you, ask what you can do for your church. Follow that rule, and you should have no problems whatsoever in devoting your spare time to a fantastic cause.
Invite your friends and family
Why not get those you love and care for involved with your local community by bringing them along to church? All churches rely on growing congregations, and the only way for that to happen is if the community helps. Some services may be a little too much for the unbeliever. So, you could try and talk to your local pastors and see if they would consider trying more accessible services. The religious landscape is changing in the States, and fewer people identify as Christian these days. It’s down to everyone in that congregation to put The Word out and bring more people back.
Welcome everyone
Some people can fit into any community. But if you are a shy, vulnerable, and retiring type, it can be a lot trickier. So, try to start welcoming everyone you see, and seek out the newcomers who might be struggling with the new environment. Most forward thinking churches are setting up welcoming teams to ensure that new congregation members feel at home. Why not ask your pastor if you can get involved?
Raise funds
There isn’t a church in the world that would exist without their congregations doing fantastic fundraising work. There is so much that needs doing, from maintenance and repairs through to buying new equipment and church furniture. The good news is that it has never been easier to raise money for good causes. You can start with something as simple as a yard sale. If you are an adventurous type, why not set yourself a tougher challenge? A mountain climb, a marathon - the list is endless. Not only will you raise money, but it will also help your church raise its profile in the local media.
Reach out to the wider community
Another way of raising your church’s profile is by reaching out to the larger, non-church community. People in every city in the country are struggling and need help. It might be because of financial issues, or problems with alcohol or other drugs. So think about how you and others can provide a service to them. Maybe you could offer them financial advice, or bring in addiction experts for chats at the church hall. You never know how many people you might help if you just give it a try.
Offer your services
Finally, if you have spare time on your hands, why don't you offer your services to your church? If you have marketing skills, you can help create newsletters and a website. People with a trade could offer to do electrical or plumbing work. You could even do an evangelical course and play a bigger role in attracting and retaining new members of the congregation.
My Say
I actually wrote this specifically for a friend asking for suggestions about how she could be of help to the church she belongs to. The suggestions I offered above are applicable to any one of whatever faith, who would like to have a more proactive role in building one's church community.
That said, I hope these ideas have shown you a few ways of helping out your church. Let me know if you have any more!
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