Intentional Relationship Building in the Local Church

Community building can happen anywhere and it needs to be happening everywhere.

The concepts of intentional community building, building social capital, and increasing the level of neighborliness are all related and speak to the strengths and backgrounds of the builder-observer. The need for effective community building in every organizational culture is greater today than in the last 30 years. Research is beginning to show us that the level of face to face interaction between households has declined. Robert Putnam's "Bowling Alone" highlights this issue as a loss of social capital. See Social Capital's Blog on "UK Loneliness"

It happens in our local churches and worship centers as well. Many people come to places of worship to be connected, but avoid being overly committed. (going to the bowling alley but not joining the league, living in a neighborhood but not hosting a new neighbor, etc.)

I have even seen people come over the past few years and continue to come of their own volition, not because they agree what the beliefs of that group but they seem to want to feel connected. It seems that this is why many people come for entertainment/curiosity and leave immediately or keep their interaction to a minimum.

• Why are activities like Christmas programs so popular but the practical services throughout the year so sparsely attended?
• What happens between visits that draws them back?
• Why do some come if opposed to the standards and position of the church?

Spiritually speaking - we can tend to attribute it to a consciousness, a calling, a yearning. I think that these answers are too easy, putting the sole responsibility on the member/attendee and relinquishing the responsibility of the local organization. In fact, with an effective community building approach, churches could see this problem minimized in a short time. If the membership is motivated, engaged, and aware to intentionally engage visitors, then they will take ownership of the congregation. The congregation itself can routinely and consistently welcome, invite, and include "quick attendees" into the congregation faster than it they would be in a passive engagement approach.

I'll leave you with the thoughts for future posts.

• How intentional is the inclusion of visitors by your congregation?
• Who recruits volunteers? Is it always the leadership or the congregation itself?
• How aware is your congregation of the skills, abilities, and assets of the members?