A Story of Intentional Connection Building During Lent
by Rev. Mark E. Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader
Connection….
This word is rising in frequency as our team engages with churches of various denominations in many places. In the last six months, I personally have observed churches using this word to describe
their desire to be in relationship with one another in greater, closer ways
their yearning to be in ongoing, partnering relationship with their community
their strategy for overcoming the political divisiveness in our culture
their strategy for shrinking the isolation and loneliness of their people and people in their communities
Not only are we hearing this word often, but we are seeing it in print as churches complete their vision guide (strategic plan, old school wording).
So, if your church is pursuing greater connection, you are not alone. Clearly, churches are rightly responding to a need so many of us recognize, the need for greater engagement with each other along with supportive community.
To that end and with their permission, I’m glad to describe how one church is pursuing connection during this Lenten season.
Over time we have enjoyed ongoing relationship with Glen Allen Baptist Church in Glen Allen, VA, along with their Lead Pastor Rev. Melissa Fallen and Associate Pastor Rev. Ann Carter. These pastors, along with their lay leadership, are shepherding a church which is engaged in transformation, becoming a more vitalized and robust version of itself. To continue their growth as a church community, this church is pursuing “Closing The Gap,” during Lent; the gap between where a church is in its development and where God is calling the church to be (there’s always a gap this side of heaven).
This focused effort includes a sermon series, intentional activities in Sunday School classes, as well as detaching from electronic devices an hour a week, plus intentional conversations with each other as church community. Like most every church, Glen Allen Baptist includes people with varying points of view on the current situation in this USA. Glen Allen Baptist is also the kind of church who welcomes all, regardless of viewpoints or distinctions that tend to divide people and break relationships. Yet, like others who also hold these values, this takes intentional work, cultivating community and connection. This is the “why” behind Glen Allen’s “Lenten Challenge.”
In listening to these church leaders, I was struck by the fruit rising from the intentional conversations. They asked their deacons to lead the way in scheduling one-to-one conversations with other deacons and church participants. Their goal is understanding, starting by asking about one’s hopes and dreams for themselves, for their families, for their community, for this church, and for the world. Through intentional listening, they are proactively melting barriers and strengthening connection. To their delight, some people in this church are sharing their experiences during worship, describing how connection is happening during Lent.
I hope you can see what I see in this story… courage, intentionality, actionable invitations, and faith in action. When the church is being the church, our hearts sing.
So, how is your church cultivating connection? What does Christian fellowship (old school word again) look like in your church community? Rather than simply complain about the divisiveness in our culture, how far has your church moved toward actionable invitations to community?
Thank you Glen Allen Baptist Church for permission to share part of your story, and thank you to the many churches who are serving day in and day out to bridge divides, building connections. If ever this world needed us… shine on O Church, shine on.