Six Easy Ideas to Simply Reconnect with People Relationally this Fall
It’s back to school season. How is your church using this season as a relaunch opportunity? As the cooler days set in, summer vacations come to an end, and people reset their schedules for a new fall routine, what has your church planned to take advantage of this moment? Connecting or reconnecting doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are a few ideas to consider if your church would like to take advantage of this fall opportunity:
1:1 Contact - Let congregants know they were missed over the summer. Give them a call or text them. Provide a listing of the options for re-engagement.
Something New - Offer something new and fresh to gain the attention of those who are looking for something exciting and different. Consider a new serving opportunity in the community or a new short-term small group experience with a meaningful topic.
Gathering - Provide an opportunity for your congregation to gather and reconnect with one another. Offer some intergenerational activities to engage all age levels that are fun and easy to participate in.
Community - Don’t forget about your neighbors! Offer opportunities to build relationships with the church’s neighbors. Find connection points that meet the needs, gaps, or opportunities your neighbors would find value and meaning to participate in. If you don’t know what the potential connection points are, ask them!
Serve - Find a community service project where everyone can participate. This would include congregants as well as neighbors. You could even come alongside existing projects such as Habitat for Humanity.
School - Connect with the closest elementary school. Ask how you can be helpful that involves interaction with students, parents, and faculty. Perhaps church members volunteer such opportunities as meet the teacher night (hospitality, finding rooms, handing out materials), monthly notes/small gifts for teachers, volunteer to work the school carnival so parents can participate with their children instead of running a booth, offer to be crossing guards, or offer to be readers in rooms for classes or individual students.
As individuals and families find themselves establishing a new routine this time of the year, be sure your church is on their radar for a space in their schedule. Without meaningful or valuable connection points, families will become too busy with other activities and not have the time or desire to engage in the life of the church. Which idea or two from the list might your church decide to try?
