How to Grow in Community
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO GROW IN COMMUNITY AND BUILD DEEPER CONNECTIONS DURING THE WEEK?
Another way to look at this question is simply, how do you make friends? Do you only plan an hour to talk to them once a week and as soon as the hour is up, run out the door? Or do you send them messages and make plans to get together throughout the week? Building a connection and growing together with your crew is a lot simpler than we often make it out to be. Let’s break it down a little further below.
1. MAKE A GROUP CHAT AND TALK WITH YOUR CREW
Striking up conversation throughout the week might be a little tough if you are getting to know most of your crew for the first time. I wouldn’t force conversations, but as you meet with the crew, and spend time talking about your interests, hobbies and life, use it to follow up during the week. For example; if someone has an event that week, make a note to follow up about it. Even if it is only a few of you talking, it will still make the rest of the crew feel a part of something more than just a weekly bible study. Over time, you will find out that people in your crew may have similar interests. Even if you don’t get responses right away, don’t sweat it. Building friendships is a marathon, not a sprint!
2. TAKE OWNERSHIP OF ALL THAT YOU DO.
Whether it's having crew, serving the city, or making other plans- make sure to be all in with it. If it’s not important to you, then it won't be important to your crew. Your crew is going to feed off of what you bring to the table. If you are excited, early, and ready to go your crew will eventually follow suit. If you are complacent, late or unprepared, then your crew won’t take your time together seriously. If you are bringing your all and someone in your crew isn’t responding, don’t waste all your energy trying to drag them along. Focus on building up the ones who are coming alongside you, together you will define the culture of your crew!
3. HELP FOSTER RELATION- SHIPS BETWEEN YOUR CREW MEMBERS.
You can’t be everyone’s best friend. The point of your crew isn’t for you to deeply connect with every single person who attends, it’s to help foster potential friendships between your crew members. If you have two or three members who always end up sitting together and just seem to click, ring them into the conversation with the rest of the group but also give them the time to grow in their relationship as well. Who knows, that could be the start of a new crew for the next season.
HOW TO ENJOY YOUR CREW SEASON
No one will want to be at your crew if you don’t want to be at your crew. As long as you come to your crew ready to engage, regardless of if it is ten people or one, you will have a good crew season! God will never fail to use what you give to Him. I pray you truly enjoy your crew this season, and it is filled with joy, laughter, and new friendships.
by ken