{"id":31070,"date":"2021-06-30T12:08:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T16:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=31070"},"modified":"2022-01-12T19:33:26","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T00:33:26","slug":"how-to-make-the-connection-between-outreach-and-church-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2021\/06\/how-to-make-the-connection-between-outreach-and-church-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"The Connection Between Outreach and Church Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

We know it\u2019s not all about the numbers. But\u00a0numbers\u00a0equal\u00a0<\/span>people<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0The more who are connected to a church body, the more they will come to know Christ and grow in their relationship with Him.\u00a0If your church hasn\u2019t been\u00a0growing, maybe it\u2019s because of a lack of\u00a0outreach.\u00a0<\/span> Maybe there really is a connection between outreach and church growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of the\u00a0<\/span>fastest-growing churches in America<\/span><\/a> are those that are outward-focused. They don\u2019t only emphasize showing up and sitting in service on Sundays, they get out and <\/span>engage those in\u00a0their communities<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than simply\u00a0staying in and\u00a0inviting people\u00a0to join, these churches go out\u2014impacting the city (and world) around them. The result? Church growth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s\u00a0take a look\u00a0at what church outreach\u00a0is, why it\u2019s\u00a0an effective\u00a0strategy to\u00a0enlarge your Christian family,\u00a0and how to implement outreach at your church.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is outreach?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

It seems pretty self-explanatory because outreach is the act of \u201creaching out.\u201d It usually pertains to organizations, non-profits, and churches that become involved in their communities or other efforts to provide services to those who would otherwise not have access to them. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the church realm, this usually means doing ministry outside of your church walls, or\u00a0hosting events that would bring the \u201cunchurched\u201d in. It includes meeting the needs of people, whether they attend your church or not.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why do outreach?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Participating in outreach can make a difference and have both physical and eternal impacts. Your staff, volunteers, and congregation can positively shift physical problems, like hunger or a dilapidated building. At the same time, those who are being served have the opportunity to feel loved and hear the gospel.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible tells us to \u201c<\/span>love your neighbor<\/span><\/a>.\u201d How can we\u00a0honestly\u00a0be loving our neighbors in our communities if we aren\u2019t going out to them?\u00a0A simple way to love your neighbor is to ask what they need, and then do something about it. (More about this below).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If those in your community know that your church cares about them, people will start showing up. They\u2019ll want to participate in an organization that does good for others.<\/span> That’s why church growth can be connected with outreach opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How do you \u201cdo\u201d outreach?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

First,\u00a0<\/span>get outside the church.<\/span>\u00a0Sure, you can host some events at your place of worship, but you\u2019ll have more \u201creach\u201d if you go out.\u00a0Oftentimes, people that aren\u2019t used to attending church don\u2019t feel comfortable going to one at first. If you make things available throughout your city, you\u2019ll find a wide range of people who normally wouldn\u2019t show up on a Sunday.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Know the\u00a0<\/span>pain in your community<\/span><\/a>. Find out what needs aren\u2019t being met, and meet them. Ask how you can fulfill a lack or help others. Partner with other community organizations \u2013 crisis centers, family centers, and homeless shelters. Ask the local police station or firehouse if you can beautify the stations. Inquire the mayor and local government about what needs to be done around the city. There are plenty of outreach opportunities if we look around.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get members involved in serving and leading various outreach efforts. This encourages consistency because they will no longer be \u201cpew\u00a0sitters\u201d but engaged members who are passionate about making a difference. If there isn\u2019t\u00a0currently a ministry that somebody wants to do,\u00a0have them start outreach ministries.\u00a0Rock Church in San Diego has\u00a0numerous\u00a0<\/span>outreach ministries<\/span><\/a>\u00a0where people\u00a0use their gifts and talents to reach people where they\u2019re at for Christ.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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How does outreach produce church growth?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like we mentioned earlier, outreach can expand your church by converting uncommitted attendees into engaged members. Those who volunteer find a purpose for their service and are more likely to attend consistently\u00a0and also\u00a0invite others to join them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It can also have an impact on growth because those\u00a0who are being\u00a0served may be interested in attending.\u00a0When they have their physical needs met and hear the gospel, you\u2019re planting seeds for spiritual transformation.\u00a0They may want to get involved with an organization that is passionate about bettering their community, especially when it has\u00a0benefited\u00a0them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Examples of\u00a0outreach<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are multiple avenues to pour into your communities through outreach. <\/span><\/p>\n