I’ll soon be travelling to Australia and spending a month out there. In all the arrangements for the trip, I’ve had to make sure that all the hotels are booked, money and documents are ready, transport is arranged and flights aren’t cancelled by BA! It’s taken lots of time to think through all the logistics for the trip, mainly to make sure that I can get home at the end of it. In looking at church life, it’s really important that we are aware of the details and logistics of seeing people move on a journey towards faith.

In my work with church, I meet up with lots of group leaders to review how their group has been going as well as looking ahead at the next term. As a leader of a group myself, I know it’s easy to get pulled into dealing with all the immediate, pastoral and practical things which need to happen. Taking time out to review and plan is a vital part of being a leader. An important question to ask is, 'how does outreach fit in with the rest of the term programme?' Of perhaps a better way to ask that question is, 'how does the term programme fit around outreach?'

Identifying what the outreach opportunities are for the coming term and then planning the rest of the content around that makes lots of sense. I could only book my hotels once I’d booked all my flights and knew when I was leaving and arriving. With an outreach event we need to see how we prepare and build towards it and then what the follow-on is from the event.

In looking ahead to next term it’s good to see what missional opportunities there are. An outreach event can then be planned but it mustn’t be done in isolation. It has to link in with things that are happening before and after.

Perhaps a better way to ask that question is, 'how does the term programme fit around outreach?'

• Normal Size - Outreach starts with where you’re at. Putting on the right size event for your group is really important. Some groups think that they have to do a one off, big event to try and get everyone along to. This takes lots of energy and can be demoralising if it doesn’t go well. It’s far easier to start with what you’re already doing as part of the life of the group. Outreach is an ongoing process, not a one off event.
• Natural Expression – My small group goes to the pub for a social evening every now and then. It’s become very natural to have other friends come along who aren’t part of church. It doesn’t feel weird and it’s a great way to reach out to friends. We’ve also done dinner parties, BBQs and birthdays, which have been easy to do. What outreach events would be a natural thing for your group to do?
• Next Steps – In putting on an outreach event it’s important to think about what it leads on to, what the next steps could be in helping someone explore faith. A number of people from my group have brought people along to guest services at my church. Knowing what things are available to offer people who are exploring faith is really helpful.

When I come back from Australia, I’m looking to make the most out of the World Cup in South Africa. I’m wanting to screen the England games in the church and see how this can be as accessible to those who aren’t part of church. I’ll let you know how things are going on my return.