Pastors can engage their congregation in community outreach by moving them from being “attenders” to “being the church” in practical and relational ways.
1. Give them a clear biblical vision.
Regularly communicate that reaching the community is part of the churches’ vision, not just the job of the pastors or a designated outreach team. Mt. 5:14-16
2. Listen to the community.
Discover the actual needs around you:
- What are families struggling with?
- What needs aren’t being addressed?
- How can our church serve without creating unnecessary duplication?
3. Equip the members.
Give people simple attainable ways to serve:
- Mentor a student
- Volunteer at a local school
- Invite a neighbor to coffee or dinner
- Assist a struggling family
Help members to see their everyday lives as ministry.
4. Create different levels of involvement.
- Volunteer at a community event
- Participate in a service project
- Join an outreach team
Lowering the barrier to entry can greatly increase participation.
5. Empower small groups.
Small groups are more often better positioned than the entire congregation to build genuine relationships. Have them ask, “Who are we intentionally loving and serving?”
6. Start with prayer.
Before developing programs, ask the congregation to pray. Create prayer teams that pray specifically for schools, neighborhoods, businesses, families, and community leaders.
7. Tell stories about what God is doing in the community.
Celebrate the opportunities that the church is involved with in the community. Communicate it to the congregation.
8. Measure transformation, not attendance.
What kind of relationships were developed? What community needs were addressed? Were spiritual conversations happening?
The Pastor doesn’t need to lead every outreach effort. The Pastor’s greatest contribution may be creating a culture in which every member understands that God has placed them in this community for a purpose.
When the congregation begins to see the people around them not as strangers to reach, but as neighbors to love, community outreach becomes much more natural and Kingdom focused.
