If your church is in a neighborhood, reach out to the neighbors!
That’s what energizes Norwood Baptist Church in Warwick, Rhode Island, which lacks a highly visible location.
Neighborliness has paid off says pastor George Barclay, whose multi-generational congregation mirrors its context and is enjoying solid growth in discipleship, spirituality, and fellowship. In this interview see how the church does it.
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Synopsis
George Barclay says ‘just showing up’ and the neighborhood property owner’s association is crucial to the growth his congregation has seen. Church members are very active in their community, helping and sharing. In this interview George tells how his congregation has been able to look outside of itself in invigorating ways. Here are my notes from the interview:
Invite the Neighbors to Dinner
George says a milestone in his congregation’s life was the decision to make dinner for the neighbors. Opening the doors to those who live nearby was an inoffensive way to show Christ’s love and build relationships that have brought huge dividends.
Change Your Governance Structure
Fed up with a cumbersome committee structure that hindered more than helped, George helped the congregation streamline its energy, which has helped people do more of what they love to do: ministry!
Join Others in the Work
‘Love Rhode Island’ is a multi-church endeavor that links churches around a simple credo: Prayer, Care, and Share. Working side-by-side with two dozen other outwardly-focussed churches has energized Norwood Baptist.
About George Barclay
George has 28 years of pastoral experience in American Baptist Churches. He’s been a pastor of two ‘yoked’ churches for ten years in upstate New York and has been the pastor at Norwood Baptist for 18 years. He has served on leadership boards for the ABC churches in RI as well as served local congregations with evangelism training. Currently, George is on the leadership team of Love Rhode Island, a cross denominational movement of God to pray for, serve and share the Gospel state wide. His focus in ministry has particularly been about developing members to reach out and grow God’s kingdom. George graduated from Barrington College and Bethel Seminary. He and his wife Kathleen have been married for over 30 years and have two teenage sons.
Books George Recommends
The Church of Irresistible Influence – Robert Lewis
The Present Future – Reggie McNeal
Simple Church – Thom Rainer
