Six Ways Churches Can Better Interact with Their Communities

With the difficult financial times we are facing on a national and global scale, buying food, along with bills for rent/mortgage, utilities, and insurance, has become a new challenge for many. Many families have also had to make the hard choices of determining how many meals to have and who must go hungry in order for other members of the family to be fed.

One way to reach out to the local community for this special need is to establish a food pantry within a room in your church. Recruit volunteers to man the pantry and post hours for people at church and in the community to know they can come by for food. Ask members of your church to bring in canned goods and nonperishable items, or whatever they can bring to bless the pantry.

“And if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your life will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10).

2. Offer Support Groups for Grief, Divorce, Addiction, and Other Needs

Enduring the worst of life’s struggles alone is an unbelievable feat, so why allow others in your community to go through these trials alone? Starting support groups in your church for those navigating the grief journey, overcoming addiction, and/or who are dealing with divorce is a great way to spread the message of Christ’s hope in dark times.

This might be a trickier service to offer in your church as they must be monitored to ensure the safety of the church and those attending. It is best if volunteers come forth who have experience with these support groups or a background in counseling. Another option is to allow an existing group to use a room in your church in order to meet.

As the meetings are being held, remember that some might attend who are not regular members of the church. So have a pastor or deacon on hand to engage with the group and be available to speak with anyone interested in learning more about Jesus or the church.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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It’s no secret that there are more single people in the world today than ever before, either by choice or because they just haven’t met the one God has for them. Unfortunately, in several churches today, singles ministry is more focused toward college and young singles up to age thirty, not taking into consideration that there are older singles who need fellowship and ministry too.

Just as with the support groups, it is best to have a pastor or deacon involved with the group, and possibly even share sermons and wisdom with the group from time to time. Plan appropriate activities that singles can join that can be on church grounds or outside in the community. Service days, bowling nights, or even a trip to the local park are great ways to get Christian singles together fellowshipping.

Activities and Bible studies are also opportunities for other singles who are not Christian and/or not involved in the church to come without feeling intimidated. Encourage those attending to bring friends, family and coworkers to events, and make sure they feel welcomed and appreciated for coming.

“But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord — how he may please the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:32).

4. Connect with Organizations That Help the Homeless, Those with Special Needs, or Low Income Individuals

One of the best ways to reach the needs of those in the community is to connect with organizations that provide aid. Whether it is helping out at a soup kitchen or doing arts and crafts at a home for children or adults with special needs, there are several organizations that would greatly benefit from a church’s support.

Determine what organizations your church would like to help with and reach out to them to see what needs they have and how the church can help. Although it would be helpful to give money to these organizations, having your congregation face to face with people in homelessness, surviving with low income, or dealing with disabilities will not only benefit the person helped, but also the one providing the help as well. (With any volunteer opportunity however, communicate with the leaders of that group beforehand to see what practical needs they have that you can meet.)

If you have several members of your church interested in helping, make it a monthly day where you go to the organization’s facility or provide a service day so you have the chance to serve and be out helping others, spreading the love of God.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so” (Proverbs 3:27).

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This opportunity might require research on the church’s part to determine what is and isn’t allowed regarding teaching the Bible at school. One church in California has a bus service that parks outside of certain schools (those that allow them to be there) to provide Bible study for children for one hour inside the bus.

If your local schools are not open to you coming on school grounds to offer Bible study, you could look into organizations like Boys and Girls Club or other after-school programs that may be interested in church volunteers. Teaching children Scripture and reading faith-based stories is an excellent way to interact with the community.

There is also the advantage of hosting Vacation Bible School at your church, as well as other kid-friendly activities throughout the year. Members can invite children they know to join them and learn about Jesus and the Bible in a fun atmosphere.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

6. Hold Prayer Gatherings, Worship Nights, and Other Activities Outside Church

This leads to the final suggestion for helping churches interact with their communities, and it is one of the most important. This is where we take the church out into the community, reminding them of who God is and who He could be in their lives through events like prayer gatherings, worship nights, and even fundraisers.

By hosting events like this, churches not only bring their members out to be present and witness, but also to encourage the community to come and experience prayer, worship, and spending time with fellow believers.

These events could take place in a local park, in a rented pavilion, or even in a multi-purpose building that is agreeable to the event. Either way, this allows the church to get outside the confines of the church building and become the Church in the community like God has called us to be.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Go and Make Disciples

It can be easy for churches to become comfortable with the same routine and the same faces celebrating God in their church buildings. But Jesus reminds us there is a hurting world out there who need to know about Him before His return.

It is important to live out God’s command to make disciples and share His love to others who need to know and be in a relationship with Him. The ideas mentioned above present great opportunities for not only sharing God’s hope with unbelieving people, but reinforcing what it means to be a follower of God in a darkened world.

The time is now for churches to stand up and reach out to their communities. And hopefully with suggestions like these, more hurting and questioning souls will be reached for God and more of His love and grace will fill this hurting world.

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