How to Get your Family Active in Church

Is your family new to your church or community? Or do you just have a strong desire to make friends while you share common bonds or goals? Or, do you have little spare time? You may be surprised that you do not have to wait until retirement to participate in activities. Investing just a little time with your church now could bring huge dividends later! This list will assist you in taking stock of a skill, interest or talent your family could use to benefit others. Some can even be done from your home or business. Who knows? Perhaps you could even develop a program that is brand new to your church.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Church membership
• Family

1. Try to attend your church on a regular basis. This way you will become a familiar face. Make sure you like your church and want to help it grow. If not, consider making a change to a new church you will be want to be associated with.
   
   During or after church services, scour your bulletin for information on groups or services the church currently offers. Often they have a special section where they list their volunteer needs.
2. If you do not come up with anything, email a staff member such as a stewardship committee board member, pastor or lay minister for suggestions or assess their current needs. Have a notebook with you when you speak to jot down ideas; you are not limited by those listed here.
3. If you have a musical family, consider joining choir or other musical groups in your church. Perhaps you could start an ensemble of your own if it does not exist already.
4. If your church is affiliated with a private school and your children attend here, consider getting involved with that branch. This will help you meet other parents and will have you in the classroom more.
5. Need some ideas for the shorter term?
   
   Annual or recurring events and tasks are excellent ideas for young, busy families. These can include: letter campaigns, data entry, email prayer chain, vacation bible school, silent auction, bake sale, holiday food pantry, greeting, bringing food to a family experiencing loss or illness, performing home improvement for the elderly, cleaning once or twice a year, nursery, soup suppers, annual drama plays, anything on a rotating schedule and special choirs.
   
   There is little commitment and you will still meet others and stay in touch. Add activities as your children become school age and time allows.
6. Consider an Advent dinner, welcome committee, mom's group, parenting class, exercise group, annual picnic, coffee hour or adopting families at Christmas. Host an Easter or Valentine's day holiday fellowship event, retreat, or potluck dinner.
   
   If you do not already have one, you could help organize this with your family and a few others with permission from a pastor or committee.
7. Attend Bible classes as a family, or at least at the same time. Share what you learned or what activities the kids did on the ride home. Discuss the lessons learned in the service and answer your children's questions, if applicable.
8. This probably has you thinking of even more ways you could help. Remember, keep a cheerful attitude even if you are not always thrilled to be at church or performing a task. Children may fight you at first, but if you are consistently involved, they will adjust. Better yet, start when they are young so it just becomes habit.
   
   Do not give up, even if you have to scale back on activities for a short time. You can always add groups or tasks back in later on.

Tips & Warnings

• Some churches only have activities at certain times of the year such as holidays and summer. They will have needs then.
• Make sure you sign up for programs that are lacking volunteers so they are not canceled.
• Sign up as a family.
• Take care of your family's needs first. Do not overbook and over commit your time and resources.
• Check with the program director to ensure there is babysitting if it is required.
• You do not have to be new to get involved. Any time is a good time. All are welcome!