Hospitality

• Be reminded not everyone has a church history. But, everyone does have a story. Listen to the journey of others to explore the patterns of what led them to this place. Use your desire to understand yesterday to inform today.
• Allow time to orient yourself to new people and situations. Then use what you learn to reach new people
• Share the anecdotes of the congregation, group with others.

Offer Christ

• Explore Jesus’ movement in the history of the church, denomination, etc, so you can explain the importance to others.
• You will likely feel the need to understand the background of baptism, and perhaps the denomination and local church before committing to baptism, membership, and/or leadership.
• Ask, “What brings us to this place?”
• Help people preparing for baptism process their story. What symbols, highlights, and milestones brought us to this place? What might the future look like as a result?

Practice

• Dig into the “story behind the story” in Scripture. What was happening that informs our faith today? What patterns exist that help you understand today?
• What might learning and growth opportunities look like based on the past successes in church?
• Think in terms of “case studies” may help you explore grand themes in scripture: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

Engage

• Listen as an act of service. Use your ability to reflect on past events to be helpful to others.
• Explore the history of an organization, its leaders and/or the people. This will help you understand what is happening today. Use what you learn to serve others.
• Think with people who are in a “stuck” place – whether addiction, homelessness, poverty, debt, marital challenges, etc. Listen for patterns to explore the past and inform future actions.
• Monitor and contribute your gifts of reflection. What is learned from a problem, challenge, etc. can serve others today. Use your ability to reflect to illuminate possible future steps for someone. Your role is to highlight, not own the action for others.