“Well, I go to church,” is a common phrase we might say when asked what we do outside of work and family obligations. Some people may detail several ways they are active in their churches, but most would say they are primarily faithful attendants on Sundays, and maybe even Wednesday nights.
Do you want to be more active at church? Is this is the year you really want to put your servant heart to work for the Lord, the church, and the community? There are several ways you can become more involved, whether you are an introvert or extrovert, physically able or disabled, man or woman, young or old.
Following are 10 ways to become a more active participant in your church, and you can embrace them all or start small with one or two activities. Just remember that God delights in whatever service you do for Him and His children.
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
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1. Volunteer with the Church Greeting Team
This one is close to my heart, as I was a member of the greeting team for several years at my church. This is a great way to not only meet new people, but also serve the church in a very important way. Your smiling face and warm greeting are usually the first impressions people get when they arrive at church, and for some, this could be their return to church after a long absence, or even their first time at church.
There are different ways to be active as a church greeter, whether it is shaking people’s hands or giving them a pat on the back, or just smiling warmly and asking how they are as they come in. Even if you are just holding the door open, passing out church bulletins or helping people to their seats, you are letting people know they are welcome in your church home, and you hope they come back again.
“All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss” (1 Corinthians 16:20).
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2. Take Part in Church Service Days
Another great way to meet others in your church, especially if you are new to the church, is participating in church service days. Some churches have these days once a year, some quarterly. Either way, church service days allow members to go out and serve the local community. It could be helping clean up an elderly person’s yard, painting houses, or even taking care of the outside needs in and around the church building.
Church service days are great if you like physical activity, as well as meeting people you may not have crossed paths with yet. Who knows, you may make new church friends through a Saturday spent helping the church and community.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
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3. Join – or even Lead – a Small Group
Small groups, or even Sunday school classes, help us to not only become familiar with the Bible and its impact in our lives, but also to make new friends. Taking part in a group is one way to be active, while leading a small group or Sunday school class offers even more spiritual benefits.
It is best if you have prior experience leading a small group or class before deciding to jump into leadership. But whether you are a participant or a leader in the group, you will be actively living out your faith that will not only impact you but those around you in the group.
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2).
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4. Help out with the Children, Youth, or College Ministries
Nothing is closer to the Lord’s heart than sharing the Bible with His youngest pupils. Becoming part of a ministry that reaches children, youth, or young adults is a great way to do this. There are several avenues a person can go to help with this type of ministry, from all ages as well. You could be loving on sweet babies in the nursery while their parents attend church, or become a mentor for teenagers and college kids preparing for the road ahead.
The beauty of these ministries is that they ae not just for women to handle but any age, any gender, any level of ability. You can even help if you don’t have children yourself, you just need a heart to educate children and teens with the power of the gospel.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
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5. Be Part of the Communion Team
It is the time that we come together to remember what Jesus did on the cross for us, and it is also a great opportunity to actively take part in your church. Passing out communion bread and grape juice allows you the chance to work together as a team, efficiently ensuring everyone is ready to partake of this treasured remembrance.
There may be training involved for this activity, but passing out communion to others with a smile and reassurance that they are remembering the Lord is worth the time.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body’” (Matthew 26:26).
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6. Join the Worship Team
Making a joyful noise to the Lord is a form of worship God that adores, and being part of the worship team brings that inner joy of the Lord out for others to enjoy. Whether it is singing beloved worship songs or demonstrating your musical skills, the worship team is a great way to get connected and actively participate in your faith.
You can also be part of the worship team from the comforts of your seat during service, singing your heart out to the Lord in thankfulness for all He has done. He is just as honored for your joyful noise at your seat as He is for those on stage.
“Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers” (Jeremiah 20:13).
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7. Walk Neighborhoods to Share the Gospel
For some, this can be one of the more daunting ways to actively participate for church. But reaching people who may have never read the Bible or heard of Jesus before can also be one of the most rewarding. Taking part in witnessing to others in your community about the marvelous works of the Lord allows questions to be asked and answered, prayers to be shared, and hearts to be saved.
Witnessing also allows you to strengthen your knowledge of the Bible and get deeper into the truth of what you believe about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This act of service is not for everyone but if it is for you, you will find it compels you to serve more and in different ways.
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
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8. Become a Prayer Partner
Prayer is one of the greatest ways to actively participate in church as you don’t need to be a biblical scholar or pastor to bow your head, close your eyes, and call on the name of Jesus for healing, discernment, and support. There are several opportunities at churches to be a prayer partner, from standing at the end of service to pray for those needing help, to joining a prayer group that brings requests before a dedicated group of prayer warriors. Some churches also offer the chance to specifically pray for another person, who is also praying for you, for a certain amount of time.
Praying for one another encourages us to invest in each other’s lives while giving our own worries and concerns to the Lord. Knowing we are coming together to pray for those around us – even those we have met for the first time – lifts our faith to greater heights.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
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9. Go on a Short-Term Mission Trip
It’s one thing to serve in your church among people you have come to know and love; it’s an entirely different endeavor to travel to a new city, state, or even country to share the Good News with new people. However, your faith will grow through this time, in a way that helps you better understand that everyone needs to know and love the Lord.
You not only get to be in a situation where you grow closer as church members, but you also invest in long-distance connections with other believers that strengthens both your faith in God and humanity.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
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10. Greet a New Person Each Time You Go to Church
Though this might seem simple, it is one of the biggest forms of being active at church because it can sometimes be missed. A common complaint some people have about church is that when they attend, no one gets to know them outside of a passing smile and noncommittal welcome. The person might be in the worst position of their life at that moment, but if someone shakes their hand, asks their name, and even asks if there is something they could pray for them about, it could be the moment of change for them.
All it takes is the courage inside to know you don’t have to be on a mission trip, a singer in the worship band, or leading a small group to impact someone who needs to know Christ personally. You just have to have the willingness to break out of your church routine, to reach out and say hello to someone new. By doing this, you have encouraged someone to open their heart to God, to others, and to the possibility of becoming an active participant at church as well!
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Being active in church is something everyone can do. It can be something you have done before in the past, or something you have never tried before. If you are unsure of how you want to participate in your church, going to the Lord in prayer will help with this decision, as He guides you to what is best for this new stage of growth in your relationship with Him and others. In time, you will be able to say with thankfulness more than just “I go to church,” but “I have the opportunity at church to do this, and I love it.”
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Originally published Thursday, 25 January 2024.
