January 8, 2025

Are you looking for ways to be bold disciples and invite others? Bold discipleship takes many forms. Some stories are really spontaneous and creative. A person renewed their YMCA membership and in the hot tub of their local Y, struck up a conversation with a dad who had three teenagers. Our bold disciple shared they attended the United Church. The dad indicated he had attended a United church in the past but would have no idea where he and his teens would be welcomed. The person suggested, not their own church, but another United Church in their local area, explaining why they might find it a better fit and offering to make a connection with the minister there! Keep inviting people!  Invitation can happen when small groups are creative about where and when they gather. Can your small groups be more public and visible in where they gather? There has been growing shifts to meet in more public spaces, such as meeting in a coffee shop, restaurant, rather than in a person’s home or at the church building. Arrange to meet in a retirement residence, long term residence, common room of an apartment complex, community centre, gym facility, recreation complex, common spaces of educational facility, library, or whatever public settings are in your area. Are there events in your building that you can connect your event with another? For example, looking to connect with children and youth and your! church hosts Scouts, Guides or other groups. Plan a community supper or children’s group that happens before. If parents and caregivers need to drop off young people for an event, offer a coffee social, time for them to stay and wait. Maybe offer a spirited conversation, such as Broadview article study or topics of interest to be hosted while another event is happening. Start a cooking club in your church kitchen or craft group or cards group for family members to be encouraged to stay and wait for the 60-to-90-minute event, children and youth are taking part in. Are there creative ways to double up, or combine to make time twice as nice? Need some ideas specific to your context. Let’s talk how we can grow community connections in your community of faith.