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How
to Grow a Parish
Once
upon a time, a visiting Church Lady offered three suggestions:
Fix
the Restrooms. Perhaps it is time for some renovation.
Yes, you might redo the entire Parish Hall, but everyone visits
the restrooms. You might redesign the Sanctuary, but everyone
visits the restrooms.
Stop
Bickering. Visitors are looking for a community. If the
parish leaders are squabbling among themselves, this will not
go over well. If you are complaining about your clergy or the
volunteers you already have, this will not be inviting. If
you insist that new members fit in so smoothly that you do
not know that they are there, this may not feel welcoming.
Do
some Outreach. Select fellow members and do something for
someone other than yourselves. It might be for another parish,
another Christian denomination, or people of another religion.
Get out there and do something of service, and see what a difference
it makes.
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