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Dear Friends,
This is the third instalment of “Ministry of the Pew”
— some practical tips on improving our fellowship before, during
and after church.
Week 1: Be intentional about preparing yourself. Pre-read, invite,
be punctual, pray, sit to encourage.
Week 2: Be ‘active’ in the service. Sing up, help others,
be attentive, encourage the preacher (listen) and share.
Ministry Of The Pew — Part 3: After The Service
1. Be warm to newcomers
Think of church as a home and you are a host. Sit with them. Invite
them to morning tea or supper. Encourage them to fill in a tear-off
slip. Introduce them to a minister and your friends. Invite them
to your place with some others, for coffee or a meal.
2. Edifying conversations
Empathise with someone going through a hard time. You don’t
have to be a solution, just a support. Promise to pray and follow
up. Initiate a conversation about the sermon — maybe share
what you found challenging, stirring, encouraging, confusing. Ask
what they think God has been doing in their life. Ask how they got
involved in Christian things. Don’t be afraid to offer a prayer
after a conversation.
3. Extending fellowship
Church is not a drive-through. Stay for morning tea/supper. Ring
or email someone during the week just to say you’re thinking
of/praying for them (and do it!). Invite someone to your home after
church — if you’re not the conversation type invite someone
who is.
Remember — it’s not ministry of the few but ministry
of the pew.
Romans 12:10… “Be devoted to one another in brotherly
love. Honour one another above yourselves.”
Shalom,
Peter Frith
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