It's easy to believe that providing excellent music, dynamic programming, and impressive campuses will automatically draw people to the Church. While these factors can have a significant impact, growing the Church requires us to go beyond the walls and make disciples. Not only do we need to meet people in the mission field, but we also need to learn how to best engage them.
In the book Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies To Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church, they emphasize the need to be good neighbors. In other words, churches should not just exist in their communities but work towards making them a better place to live.
When I started at my current parish, my pastor shared his struggles to make our Church physically present in the community. Despite being over 170 years old and located just a quarter of a mile off a main road, many people did not know it existed. One night, while driving home, the pastor realized that although the Church could be seen from the main road, it was difficult to spot. So, he invested in spotlights to illuminate the church tower. This later became our vision of being a beacon of faith, worship, and witness.
I know of another parish that noticed the growing homeless population in the surrounding community. The outreach coordinator decided to reallocate efforts and budget, pausing international outreach efforts to partner with local organizations and start a monthly community dinner.
Another parish staff decided to meet off-campus twice a week. Instead of holding staff meetings in the parish conference room, they would go to a local coffee shop and discuss Church matters. Parishioners often run into them with their friends, exchange pleasantries, and then return to their conversations. When asked if the meetings were productive, one staff member said, "Not from a practical standpoint because we were constantly interrupted, but it let people in the community know we were there."
What does it mean to be the best neighbors? It all starts with:
People in the community might see your building, but do they see your efforts? While quality programming and engaging worship are important, leaving the campus to be around the community is critical.
You might be the only church in your neighborhood, but that doesn't mean there aren't others striving to spread the Good News. Whether it's the local government, schools, or businesses, figuring out ways to engage the community together will create stronger bonds.
One reason we struggle to be good neighbors is that we don't understand the culture. Empathy for the community is a powerful tool that parishes can use to connect with others. Developing empathy involves engaging with the community, listening to their stories, and asking questions to get to know them better.
If you want to reach more people, you have to go to them. Don't just plan and coordinate events within the church walls; go out and bring the Church to the community. You'll find that people are excited about your presence and willing to work with you. Together, you'll learn how to be that beacon of faith, worship, and witness the world needs.