I love our church!
On Sundays I feel so blessed as I walk through the halls because of the kind, warm people I encounter. They smile, pass out hugs, stop to see how I'm doing, or share a laugh with me. I think about how each person is contributing to our church body and see their care for others and it makes me smile.
But I realize this isn't everyone's experience.
Have you ever felt alone or a little lost in the crowd?
In a church our size, it can be easy to blend in and go unnoticed. In fact, some people like the idea of attending a bigger church where they can slip in and out; but I don't think that's the case for the majority of people.
I think most people are looking for a place to connect and belong, and that can be difficult in a bigger gathering.
At Grace we exist to love God, love people, and lead others to do the same. Part of loving people means that we value creating joyful community where people are more than just noticed. Joyful community happens when people are glad to be together. That is why we desire that people feel welcome, cared for, and important.
We have some great strategies in place to help people connect:
Hospitality teams of greeters, ushers, coffee brewers and Connection Desk staff to help welcome, direct, and inform you
We are intentional about our "meet-and-greet" times during services being an opportunity to actually meet the people around you.
The Plan Your Visit button on our website where newcomers can sign up for a tour of the building, get help checking their kids into nursery or Sunday school, and find a seat next to a friendly face
Community Life Groups are available to help find a place for deeper relationships and fun fellowship
Our Grace Care Team ministers to widows, shut-ins, and those with major illnesses
We have many opportunities to serve (serving with others—like during Summer Quest—can create belonging and community)
All of these are strategies are great but, to be honest, they sometimes just aren't enough.
Lately I've heard from some different people that making initial connections at Grace was hard for them. A few have visited services several Sundays in a row and had no one speak to them. I've heard from others who've attended here for a long time but are feeling invisible and unimportant.
I don't know about you, but that hurts my heart… and it's personally convicting! That has been motivation for me to be more brave in approaching new faces each week and being intentional about connecting with others.
How about you?
Do you feel connected?
Can I challenge you personally to help us create a joyful community here at Grace?
Our staff is committed to this value, but we can't do it all by ourselves. We need your help!
Welcome and direct new people
Look for and warmly engage new faces during "meet-and-greet" (go beyond a "hello"; if you don’t know where to start, ask "How long have you been at Grace?")
Invite someone (new or old) out to lunch or over for supper
Reach out if you're feeling alone (talk to the person next to you, come up to a staff member, or let us know through the Connect With Us button)
Check in on someone you haven't seen in awhile
Find a way to serve
Generally, just look for ways to love people right here at Grace.
Together, we can create a warm and welcoming culture where people of all ages and stages, from all walks of life, can find belonging and unity in Christ.
Join us this Sunday for week 4 of our FAQ mini-series exploring the hope we have for the future!
Juli Dirks
Executive Director of Ministries