Continuing the chapter we started yesterday . . .
Develop a membership covenant
This one scares me, a little - I ask myself "Who am I to demand a commitment like this?" But I can see that it is biblical. We're asked to be willing to lay down our lives for each other. And that takes commitment - surely to goodness it's not too much to ask people to commit to doing what the Bible says you should be doing anyway!
Make your members feel special
Feeling that one belongs is important. Whilst this can be difficult to do, it's fairly self-explanatory all the same.
Create opportunities to build relationships
Relationships are the glue that holds a church together. People join because of the pastor, but they stay because of the friends. Relationships need to be intentionally developed. Weekend retreats are really good for this - they spend more time together in one weekend than they will spend together on Sundays for a whole year.
Encourage every member to join a small group.
This combats the feeling that "we'll lose the small church fellowship if we grow!". Both large group celebrations and small group cells are important for the well-being of the church. Small groups are the most effective way of closing the back door of your church.
Keep communication lines open
Informed members are effective members. Use any means of communication available to you.
We're in this together.
Continually emphasise this. Preach it, teach it and talk about it. We belong together. We need each other. We are connected as parts of one body. We are a family! Koinonia has healing power.
No comments:
Post a Comment