It’s all about relationships. Period.
Our God is a God that calls us into a deep and profound relationship.
It’s called the Kingdom of God/the Realm of Heaven.
We become Citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:20) and are welcomed into a transforming and eternal, unconditional love of grace, forgiveness and wholi-ness.
This is what the early Christians gave their lives for. This is the Good News Jesus came to preach. (Mark 1:14-15)
Here are eight relationship-oriented actions you can take as the pandemic comes to an end to help the "reluctant ones" to return and the "new questioning ones" to join in.
1. Engage them with letters, door hangers, regular calls, visits. Find out who they are and who lives in walking distance. (Exercise will be a big thing post-pandemic) Invite them to join you in activities that they are interested in. After they come to these, invite them to classes, workshops and ultimately, as a step on their spiritual journey: Worship.
2. Be ready to apologize if necessary, (i.e. absence of contact, past church related trauma) but don’t guilt them, listen to them, encourage them, even affirm them if they decided to go somewhere else.
3. Help them draw closer to God right where they are. Brief Devotionals, short thoughts on daily worries. Let them know you are there to help.
4. Have something to offer soon! A class, a picnic, an opportunity to serve.
5. Design a Sunday morning experience they can’t get online: interactive, personal, friendly. Surrounded by the atmosphere of “stepping into heaven.”
6. Pray with them when they express a deep concern.
7. Don’t ask them for money. Share a gifts, graces and service Stewardship.
8. Keep your own faith strong and vital. Step up your and your leader’s personal devotions.
P.S. If you would like a more complete explanation of these points, please go to: Agapé Journeys website and download the full article.
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