Last week I shared the stories of two congregations in a major metropolitan area:  my meeting and my childhood church in DC.  I promised that I would discuss how each community could contemplate outreach and growth.  However, I’ll generalize the answers for even further relatability.

In one faith community, the neighborhood became largely Spanish speaking. To serve such a community well, hiring a Spanish-speaking associate pastor could be vital. When language becomes a barrier, the people most in need can feel unseen. Offering a Spanish-language service could create demonstrate true welcome. Experimenting with Spanish as part of the regular service, at least for a season, could be exciting as well.

In another community, the surrounding neighbors grew younger and more educated. There, reimagining the meetinghouse as a hub for weeknight gatherings could be key. Not everyone is drawn to a happy hour. Some prefer a book club, a coworking space, or a safe place for thoughtful conversations without the presence of alcohol. Creating that kind of environment could make the meetinghouse a relevant and trusted space in the neighborhood.

What if, instead of focusing on one 300-person congregation, we envisioned ten 30-person worship groups that reflected their unique neighborhoods? These smaller, interconnected groups could meet in living rooms, basements, street corners, barber shops—literally anywhere.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:10

Equally important is the idea of regular exchanges across congregations. We may not all be in the same boat, but we are in the same weather. Visiting, supporting, and learning from one another strengthens all of us, regardless of theological differences.

The heart of outreach, I believe, is experimentation. Failure is not the enemy. Fear of trying is. If we attempt nothing, we have already failed. But if we try, we just might succeed in ways we could not have imagined.

The “churchy” I grew up as in the 1980s and 1990s is not the same as what I seek today. Yet, the timeless essentials remain: togetherness, worship, service, fellowship. We need not repeat the past exactly, but we must bring fresh perspectives to these practices. We must try. And we must keep trying.

In Friendship,

Rashid Darden

Associate Secretary for Communications and Outreach