“ When churches prioritize relationship education and enhancement within their congregations , they become a personification of hope in a world of wounded and broken relationships .”
people to an individual event . Instead , you are creating a vision of joining others on a relational journey . Each person is partnering with the church to be an active rather than passive agent .
The first step of that journey begins with a compelling invitation . When crafting an invitation , place yourself into the mindset of someone who is not a church member . Would I see the “ offer ” as something I would enjoy doing ? Will I perceive that it is a valuable use of my time ?
“ When churches prioritize relationship education and enhancement within their congregations , they become a personification of hope in a world of wounded and broken relationships .”
The next step on the ladder is ongoing engagement . Consider this step to be about 70 % fun and 30 % enrichment . We encourage a church to insert relationship skill activities to be modeled and run by couples .
Ultimately , through outreach and ongoing engagements , the church membership forms the interlocking personal connections and friendships that are the actual glue of the Christian community . This allows the church to invite nonmembers to take the final step — the growth journey . This is where the high-dosage skills ministry lives .
The reality is the “ leprosy of the West ” has a cure . That cure lives inside the local church because the local church is the actual manifestation of the body of Christ in a community . Marriage ministries are an ideal way to build community in a church .
For the outreach step , church should create a community invitation that is 85 – 90 % fun event and 10 – 15 % enrichment . This could be a family block party or a salsa night for couples with dance instruction and childcare . It could be a Christmas evening bonfire with Christmas carols . These events can include some enrichment or education as part of the event but are not specific . Wendy ’ s church decided to host a monthly Parents Night , where childcare is provided . Any event with childcare tends to be a big hit .
When churches prioritize relationship education and enhancement within their congregations , they become a personification of hope in a world of wounded and broken relationships . Churches can then become a light to their communities and provide outreaches and resources that meet deep relational needs and open doors to share the gospel of Christ . 3 Without a doubt , relationship ministry has become the greatest avenue for evangelism for the church in the twenty-first century .
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