Something is satisfying about waking up on a Sunday morning and getting ready for that specific time of the week. You put on your nicest clothes and freshen up to go to a building a good amount of people spend their Sunday mornings. You guessed it, “Church.” Why do we go to Church, and why was this something Jesus commanded for his disciples? Many questions have been raised about Church and how modern our culture has made it. However, going to Church is still a special moment for believers. You show up, grab some coffee, lift your hands during worship, take notes during your pastor’s sermon, eat lunch and fellowship with your friends and family, and then go home. None of this is terrible, but what if God called you to do more than attending Church on Sundays? Today we will review 10 practical ways you can be an impact on your Church.
1. Serve
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35 NIV
What makes a Christian develop strong characteristics is how often they are willing to be a servant to others. Serving others can be an act of selflessness depending on its motive but goes beyond just an act of kindness. Choosing to serve at your Church is a great start to being effective in your Christian walk. Ask your pastor or staff members if you don’t know where to start. Attend events that need volunteers, and see if services need more ushers or help in the children’s ministry. There are a variety of opportunities to become a servant.
Servanthood is choosing to take time to give and expect to receive nothing back in return. Giving your effort and time to others benefits the upcoming chapters in your walk with God. These benefits can include finding your calling, developing a kingdom-minded passion, and allowing you to connect with other believers.
2. Connect
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
-1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV
If you are new to a church with your family, friends, or as an individual, the best step is to connect with people in the congregation. Connection is what a lot of people miss out on when they attend Church. Is this a requirement or something optional in a church setting? While connecting with people is not required, it is highly recommended. This is because joining in a church community can be the start of so many great opportunities. Simple ways to start are attending connect groups that occur during the week, connecting with local ministries in your school, making friends, and scheduling a coffee date.
Connection is what makes a healthy community in the Church. How strong the relationship with leadership can determine the ministry’s growth. I’m saying that congregation members are accountable for welcoming new members. Why do people leave the Church often? The answer could vary, but when someone becomes distant, who they’re connected with is the question. As a church we need to have a passion for connecting with any new or old member in the congregation, coming out of our shells, and acting as one body.
3. Fellowship
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42 NIV
Similar to the 2nd point, fellowship is just as important as a connection. Fellowship goes beyond connecting with people; it’s developing intimate moments with people you care for. Why is this important? We all need friends in our life, and we were not created to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Genuinely, what makes someone an impact on a community is when they know how to build their social circle outside of a church setting. Setting up “fun days” may be a great way to attract people to your ministry every other week or month.
As great as Sunday services and bible groups can be, sometimes an excellent way for soul winning is to create social events for someone who may not know anything about Christ. Gather a group of friends and schedule a night of bowling, a trip to the movies, or game night. Fellowship is not only a great way to make new friends; it makes your influence that much of an impact.
4. Be Open
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
– 1 John 1:9 NIV
Do you know a character trait that makes an impact on others? Sadly, this trait is usually avoided and not taken into consideration. Being open and vulnerable about yourself is an act of humility and a step to self-growth. Most people, especially introverts, may not be comfortable opening up about some personal issues. However, what makes salvation so unique is how we were not meant to be alone but not go through hardships alone. Remember that you don’t have to open up to everyone in your community, just the people who have patience and will help structure your growth.
Finding a support group or someone who can act as a mentor in your life is a healthy way to grow in your Church. Of course, no one is perfect, and no leader will have it all together, but sometimes if we want to have an impact, it starts by becoming vulnerable to our problems. It’s a privilege to understand that salvation was not meant to be done individually. Knowing some people are figuring life out just like you are willing to support you during your most challenging times is a great reason to be open.
5. Pray
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
-Matt 6:6 NIV
There is power in prayer, and most believers are not aware of how much power there is in prayer. Prayer is limitless. It’s like a 24/7 call center with God that has no wait time and is the key to exercising the primary source of salvation, “faith.” How often do you find yourself speaking to God? Is prayer your first or last option in a challenging situation? As a church and a community, prayer needs to be the primary resource for the congregation. A family that prays together stays together.
When you pray, you live out what Jesus described in Matthew 6:9-13. You submit yourself to God’s will, open up your spirit, and find freedom over the evil in this world. Pray for the people in your Church, pray over the services attended, and pray to spend time with the Lord to increase your faith in him. Prayer increases the will of God for you and your community and goes against the devil’s schemes. If you want to be a vessel for Church, start by praying to a God who’s always listening.
6. Unite
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV
Do you know the main intention Jesus had in mind for the Church? I’m sure different answers would be given, like praying, fellowshipping, or encouraging one another. As great as some of those answers are, Jesus had a bigger picture in mind. As a church, we were called into unity living as the body of Christ. Since God has called us to live as one body, this is the area Satan goes after the most. We struggle with unity today, going against brothers and sisters out of inevitable disagreements as a church.
Unity is more than just agreeing with one another; it’s choosing to love one another regardless of our church views. Today we see so many believers posting content against other believers, making so-called “exposed” videos, and even going as far as calling out the idea of going to Church. As believers, let’s rise together as one body praying for those not in agreement with us and be the image of God.
7. Lead
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
– Proverbs 11:14 NIV
Everyone’s called to lead if anyone wants to believe it. That’s right; we are capable of developing leadership skills in our walk with Christ. The problem relates to believers in Church who don’t know how to lead or lead as a bad example. Becoming a leader takes time of growth and maturity but also a lot of passion and humility. If you want to make an impact by becoming a leader, start by learning to become a significant influence. It goes back to the 4th point about being open to others.
There are various ways to become a leader for your Church, and it doesn’t require holding a microphone. Be an encouragement to others and show support to those who are struggling. Sometimes just being a listening ear to someone is a simple but effective trait to express leadership in the Church. It’s a process within itself, but you are capable of becoming a leader. If you don’t believe, neither did Moses, David, or Elijah.
8. Forgive
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 NIV
The church campus, to most, can act as a haven a majority of the time, but from the influence of evil also be a place some may want to avoid. Powerful events occur at the Church, but so can troubling events. People you’re close to in your Church are just as capable of hurting you as people outside the Church. The truth is that no one is perfect, and when someone offends us, the impactful decision is to forgive. Of course, every situation is different, but forgiveness is non-negotiable in a church setting.
Unforgiveness destroys someone’s influence and character. So learning how to forgive people in the Church is very important if you want to be an impact. Depending on the situation’s strength, sometimes taking a step back from the ministry may be necessary. The point is if you are eager to overcome bitterness towards someone in the Church. Take the time to overcome the hurt and pain and speak to leaders about it. It may mean taking some time off in the ministry to heal. Forgiveness is an act of obedience towards Christ, which alone can make an impact if you choose to forgive.
9. Read Your Word
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
Let me ask you a personal question. Do you attend Church every Sunday but is your bible collecting dust on the shelf or the least used app on your phone? Do you even have a hard copy bible or have it downloaded on your phone? Attending a church service on Sunday can be an easy thing to do, but reading the bible nowadays is complicated. Why? Because spending time in the word helps you build your connection with God.
The enemy may not have a problem with you attending Church every Sunday, but what does concern him is your connection with the Lord. People who pick up their bible and read it passionately build an intimate relationship with Jesus. The Word of God is not just a book with incredible stories, talented authors, or wise words; it’s a spiritual written guide opening the door to phenomenal growth. The books, chapters, and verses are words inspired by God almighty, piercing into our hearts and finding the true meaning of love.
10. Be the Church
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.”
Ephesians 4:4 NIV
The biggest myth in our Christian world today is what the Church is today in our world. We think the Church should be built with a worship team, a staff, or a pastor. Its meaning goes way beyond that. The Church was meant to be for someone who sees the gospel as a privilege instead of a burden. The passion they carry is also carried by other people who believe just like him. Their love is so strong that they meet together and celebrate the life that they are blessed to have.
The final point of this post to impact this post is to be the Church. Be the person God has called you to become. Every moment we have gone over is how you can express the Church to others. Remember, it’s not just about attending service. It’s about telling the love of Christ to others wherever God has rooted you. It’s all about the growth we build through over time, developing substantial maturity. You are loved, you are chosen, and you are not forgotten. Christ has called you to be a comforter to those who struggle; that is what the Church is about.