Slideshow image

Because Jesus called us to be disciples every day of the week, this summer we are providing tangible ways to prayerfully integrate our core RRCC values into your home, neighborhood, and workplace.

This week, we are looking at being welcoming.

Focus: Being hospitable, present, and actively inviting others, modelling Christ’s love (John 13:35).

  • Home and Family Life
    • Be present with people in your family, listening to them. Try to identify the underlying emotions they are sharing with you. 
    • Create a safe environment for sharing by resisting the urge to be defensive or judgmental, or offering simple fixes for complex issues. 
    • Be intentional about showing love through physical touch: high-five, hug, or pat on the shoulder. 
    • Invite the other members of your family to play a game with you.  Make it a weekly activity.
  • Neighborhood
    • Look neighbours in the eye and say hello. 
    • Look for ways to offer practical help. For example, pick up garbage or help someone with yard work. 
    • Hang out in your front lawn area. You could use a propane firepit or sit with a cooler of drinks. Have an extra seat to invite others to join you. 
    • Be intentional about welcoming people who move in. Take them some baked goods and give them your phone number if they have any questions or need a hand with anything. 
    • Invite neighbours to a church event. 
    • Spend time at a nearby park and initiate conversation with others who are there.
    • Organize a neighbourhood event like a BBQ, pool party, etc
  • Workplace
    • Listen well to people by asking questions. 
    • Follow up about life events or things happening in your colleagues' lives. Make notes or calendar events to remind yourself. 
    • Go for lunch or coffee with a coworker.
    • Be available to others by intentionally spending time in common areas. 
    • Look for the overlooked. Is anyone typically ignored or in the shadows in one way or another? Go out of your way to talk to them. 
    • Give encouraging notes to make people feel wanted.

A reminder: you don’t need to do all of these. Prayerfully consider which one or two areas God is inviting you into this season. If an idea feels intimidating, look for a 'low-stakes' way to dip your toe in the water. 

As we live out these values—Christ-Centeredness, Welcome, and Community—we extend the church beyond these four walls and into our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and the world.