I believe the church is not just about attending a weekly gathering, or events in general. A caring church will be a community to each other outside of Sundays.
Hanging out at Home
- one survey years ago noted that a sign of a healthy church was when people were in someone's home or hosted someone in their home 1-2x per month.
- dinner or desert
- potlucks
- movie nights
- just passing by to say hi
Serving a family
- babysitting so a couple can go out for dinner
- spending time with the whole family, not only the parents, so the kids feel like they belong too
- is someone moving, painting, has a big job to do
Phone Call
- when I get a call just asking how I'm doing, I feel great
- don't feel weird about this, just do it, trust me, people don't get that much attention, they would appreciate it
Cafe
- call a few people and get together at a local cafe, it's 3-5$, but your conversation will go from small talk to a little more personal
- you'd be surprised how many people are home most nights, or would appreciate being somewhere else than their living room watching America Idol
Baby Visit
- go visit a new baby (their family); this is great time to invite yourself over without feeling strange, families embrace it; here are some guidelines
1. if you bring a gift, though you don't have to, it doesn't have to be more then 10$, the thought & visit is everything
2. consider bringing donuts and telling the parent(s) you'll do so, so they don't have to prepare
2a. replace a gift with a tin of coffee and desert (this way they have something to offer future guests)
3. think 45-90 min.; for baby visits, don't overstay - save that for another time (you never know the baby's routine) (if there's an overwhelming sense your host is longing for you to stick around, discern wisely)
4. if you're single, ask 1-2 other people to come along with you, it'll be fun
What would it look like for you to be the church outside of Sundays?
How do you envision community during the week?
How else can you be a caring church?
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