Starting new congregations puts the focus on the body of people who make up the congregation. Running services can be like running any service that people can avail themselves of at their leisure. But a congregation is a body that loves, builds, cares and grows. It also meets in what we commonly call a service. But it is really a meeting of the body for the purpose of worship, fellowship, learning, encouragement and prayer, amongst other things.
So growing a congregation is harder than conducting a service. For one thing it requires more people. A service can be conducted by one person (come on Wednesday mornings and see). But a congregation needs everyone to contribute to its life and growth.
And there lies a problem for some of us. How can we contribute if we have no ‘out the front’ skills, or are not too clued up on Christianity, or just a bit shy? Well, there are a variety of low profile contributions such as handing out Evangels, serving morning tea, cleaning!, working the sound desk and so on.
One of the most encouraging things we can do is just to be present when the church meets. Smiling is an additional blessing. When people are absent, they are missed and the body feels the loss, a kind of rejection even. Being there each week with a smile should be rated near the top of the list of great contributions.
Dale