Contributed by Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan Glasshouse Country Uniting Church
Our mental health is improved by being connected with others, especially as we age, scientists insist. It is natural for humans to join together in groups for friendship, help, safety, service to others, and personal growth. This newspaper greatly assists the community by reporting on activities of local groups and advertising their meeting times and locations. An individual joining a group is mostly a process over time.
- Initially, you go to look at them – to see who is involved, what they do, what their aims or goals might be, and what philosophy underlies their program. You observe carefully, ask questions, participate tentatively with one or more activities occasionally.
- Then you may INVESTIGATE their history, dig deeper into their leaders, question the members before you start.
- TRIAL INVOLVEMENT – offering to help with an activity, participating with them.
- Gradually you may be AVAILABLE for other activities, particular tasks.
- Until you become a member officially, being present regularly, even offering to stand for the management committee.
Joining a church is a similar process – from looking around to finally deciding you are a member and begin to take up duties. Churches have a variety of activities, not just a worship service, and many people join a church via being invited to a craft group, a youth group, a men’s or women’s group. Some go along to observe a worship service and regular members there need to be sensitive to not expect commitment to involvement immediately.
The welcome message and invitation to be part of the group at your own pace, invitation to ask questions and not necessarily accept the theology or biblical interpretation at face value, is really important. The other members of a church are crucial if new ones are to be incorporated – far more important than the priest, minister, or pastor in leadership.
Perhaps the major difference between a church and a secular community group, is the presence and work of God among the people. Worship is centred on thanking and learning about what God might be leading us to do in the week ahead. It involves being honest with God about our failures and hearing God’s forgiveness.
Group life during the week is enriched by God’s love experienced by us in worship times and in service of others. Come and try us.