10 Ways to Connect With Your Neighbors This Fall

Another way to be missional and reach out to your neighbors.  David

photo credit: Chaval Brasil

It doesn’t take much imagination to find ways for small group members to connect with their neighbors.  Sometimes all it takes is a crisp fall morning or a spooky October evening.

Here are my top 10 ideas:

1. Movie night outside for kids and families.  Easy to do with a video projector.  Pick the right movie, circle up the lawn chairs, and bring on the popcorn.
2. Drop in for waffles and bacon on a Saturday morning.  Again, everyone’s kids will love this idea.  3 or 4 waffle irons make it easy.  Add-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, and pecans make it fun (and tasty!).
3. Invite neighbors over for a potluck theme dinner night (Italian, Mexican, etc.).  Go all out with music and decorations.  Make it fun and it will be easy to connect.
4. Garage sale for a local cause.  Gather up your merchandise.  Pick out a great local cause or charity.  Be ready to talk about why you’re doing it.
5. Pull a fire pit or chiminea onto your front porch or driveway.  Bring out the patio furniture.  Be ready to offer a warm cup of cider and a s’more to neighbors passing by.
6. Join in the fun to offer some safe Halloween fun.  No tracts.  Just the best candy and the friendliest people on the block.
7. Chili cook off.  No better time to host a chili cook off complete with judges, prizes and Tums.
8. Block party cookout.  Roll the grills into the cul de sac and bring out the lawn chairs.  Do it right it might turn into an annual event!
9. The Big Game on the big screen.  Plan a party for the day of the biggest college game in your area.  Think Super Bowl party with local flair.  Make it fun for the whole family.
10. Game night with pizazz.  Whether your game of choice is bunco or pictionary, there’s a way to do that’s even more fun.  Think tournament.  Have goofy prizes for the winners.  Mr. Microphone adds another level of enthusiasm.

inShare1

— Mark Howell

Mark Howell is the founder of SmallGroupResources.net, committed to helping churches launch, build, and sustain healthy small group ministries. He's also the Pastor of Discipleship Communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church.  Having served as small group pastor at Woodlands Church and Lake Avenue Church, Mark is a seasoned veteran with experience in both the contemporary and the traditional church. In addition, he served as a consultant with Lifetogether and as a host for the Purpose Driven Campaign Coaching programs. You can read Mark's blog at www.markhowelllive.com or follow him on twitter.

5 Commitments That Propel and Sustain a Thriving Small Group Ministry

• BY MARK HOWELL
• IN SMALL GROUPS
• — 1 OCT, 2013

Ever wonder why some small group ministries seem to steadily move to new levels of success and health while others start with a bang and go out with a whimper?

Here are 5 commitments that make the difference:

1. Connecting everyone to a small group is a top objective every year.  By “everyone” I mean everyone.  And not just 50% or 80% of the weekend adult attendance.  I’m talking about 150% of the weekend adult attendance number!  In addition, the commitment is to a small group (i.e., not a class or a Bible study that meets in rows).  And it’s not about off-campus versus on-campus.  It’s all about connecting to a group that includes the essential ingredients of life-change.  See also, Essential Ingredients of Life-Change and Design Your Group for Life-Change.
2. Small group membership is an essential step in the strategy.  This is sometimes a little tricky but always very important.  If your church features a kind of buffet or a menu with multiple options to choose from for adults (i.e., Sunday morning classes, Wednesday night classes, discipleship groups, off-campus small groups, etc.), there is a strong possibility that you’re not clearly identifying active membership in a small group as essential.  See also, A “Plated Meal” Leads to a Church OF Groups and 5 Ways Your Small Group Ministry Is Being Throttled.
3. Small group ministry is designed to make disciples.  If your church offers a discipleship ministry for high achiever adults with greater commitment and more extensive expectations than mere group membership…you are likely missing the great potential of grouplife to make disciples.  See also, 4 Leading Indicators of Small Group Ministries That Make Disciples.
4. Significant investment in leadership development is a priority.  Are you budgeting significant money, staff energy, and calendar for leadership development?  If you’re skimping on this commitment, it’s unrealistic to think that you’re on the path that leads to a dynamic, thriving small group ministry.  See also, Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Leadership Pathway and Budgeting for the Preferred Future.
5. The senior pastor is the primary champion/spokesperson for the small group ministry year in and year out.  Are you there?  Does this describe your senior pastor’s involvement?  This has nothing to do with administrative involvement or behind the scenes planning or management.  It has everything to do with living and breathing small group as essential to life-change.  It has to do with the most influential person in your congregation serving as the main spokesperson.  See also, Your Senior Pastor as Small Group Champion Leads to a Church OF Groups.

photo credit: Neil Kremer

inShare1

SHARE

7

2

0

— Mark Howell

Mark Howell is the founder of SmallGroupResources.net, committed to helping churches launch, build, and sustain healthy small group ministries. He's also the Pastor of Discipleship Communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church.  Having served as small group pastor at Woodlands Church and Lake Avenue Church, Mark is a seasoned veteran with experience in both the contemporary and the traditional church. In addition, he served as a consultant with Lifetogether and as a host for the Purpose Driven Campaign Coaching programs. You can read Mark's blog at www.markhowelllive.com or follow him on twitter.