Meaningful Relationships

Research shows that people are looking for meaningful relationships when they search for a church family. That should not really be a big surprise. After all, God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,’ He said (Luke 10:27).

Then, it should also not be a big surprise that, if they do not find meaningful relationships, they will leave again. Therefore, we need to pay attention to what happens after they have decided to return a second or third time. Will they keep coming back? They will if we offer them meaningful relationships. We do that by loving them as ourselves, not more than or less than ourselves, but as ourselves. 

In practical terms, it means giving them what we would want ourselves. Ask yourself why you keep coming back. More than likely, one of your reasons is the relationships you have with people at your church, the conversations you have with them, the friendships. The newcomer is here for the same reason and it is up to us, you and me, to give it to them.

So if you see someone you haven’t met before or just haven't seen in a while, it is OK to leave your friends and go over there to say "hello." Could you do that? Of course you could. You could do even better, you could look around to see if there is anyone who looks like they could use a friend. I think you will find that there will be more than you thought.

Chances are that they are seeking something. Something is missing in their lives. Quite possibly all it takes to fill the void is a kind word or gesture from you no matter how small that might be.

And why would we want to do that? To increase attendance? To get more donations? No, to equip more disciples to spread the word of God. We cannot do that if they leave, can we?

Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships

Coming to a new church for the first time can be especially intimidating. This could be because the very reason the person decided to go in the first place is that he or she has some kind of void; some kind of pain that needs to be healied. Such a person is very fragile and needs our utmost attention. Meaningful relationships is quite likely to be at the very top of their list of things they are looking for.