Can you imagine what would happen at a congregation if every member warmly greeted a stranger that came into the church parking lot? Can you imagine the friendships that could form if leaders of a church regularly connected with young people to share inspiring comments? As we prepare for Fall outreach events and holiday special services, now is a great time to ponder how to effectively communicate in ways that connect with people across generations and neighborhoods. In other words, how can we build bridges to what may appear like “unlikely friendships.”

Unlikely friendships and encounters provide the opportunity to connect as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman at the well. How can we reach people where they are? Our new newsletter format is tailored to share ideas about reaching out, lifting barriers to communication and developing leadership skills that help to reach people where they are. Whether its on the grounds of the church, at a mission project or using tools like Facebook, how we communicate can make an impact on every encounter at the church and beyond.

Welcome to this issue of The A-R-K Report. We have changed the name but the focus is still to share practical ways to attract, reach and keep those who are yet to come. As with many congregations, change is necessary as we seek ways to be even more faithful to the Great Commission and touch lives through Jesus Christ. Our new half day workshop on Social Media is just one example of the changes we are experiencing to meet the needs of pastors, communicators and ministry leaders who are reaching out.

Whether we’re conducting a seminar, facilitating strategic conversations or coaching, everything we do is based on Scripture, Research and best practices experience. This newsletter is just a small glimpse of ways to reach beyond the walls and make disciples. My only request is that you share feedback and share this issue with colleagues. Let me know what you’re thinking at info@awesomeinsight.com

Peace,

Lynette Hawkins

Reaching out and sharing with the community can become a natural part of what you do. Some of the best ways to reach out to the community happen in our everyday experiences of going to the grocery store, at the kids’ soccer practice or working on a community project. The key to reaching out is making sure that you’re prepared to share about your ministry when opportunity arises.

Conversations about your church can happen anywhere. As I look at my own experiences in ministry and what seems to help growing ministries get the word out, I pass these ideas on to you.

1. Keep brochures and invite cards handy. While out and about, be sure you have a small stash of communication tools available and ready to share. I love invite cards with the name of the worship service or event times and a brief inviting message. For example, you may be at a gas station and someone notices your bumper sticker with the church name and asks you, “Where is that church?” That’s all you need to share and invite. Be ready.

2.  Connect electronically via email and text messages. Today much communication is done electronically. If you have not yet tried, create an email database of members and worship guests and friends of your church. Collect emails at the website, on the visitor cards and whenever you have an event sponsored by a ministry. Send emails regularly.

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Proverbs 16:24

“Pleasant words are a honey comb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.“

How often do you see members sitting next to strangers and never acknowledging each other? Today’s teaching moment is “C2 or Communicate with strangers and Connect them to other people.”Starting a conversation can be a great bridge to building a connection to strangers. Sometimes just talking about the weather can lead to where someone is from or how they are dealing with life. From there the possibilities of connecting a new comer to other church members or ministries is endless. Can you imagine what would happen if someone mentioned they enjoy singing? Let’s get busy and C2!

Excerpt from 50+ Ministry Hospitality Teaching Moments e-book

by Lynette Hawkins available this Fall.

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