Below is a guide for hosting a simple church gathering at the beach, park, farm or local church facility. In our context, hosting focuses on the first ingredient in our gatherings, the People of God (learn about why we gather each week or how we plan our church gatherings).
Hosting a baptism?
If you are baptising someone please check out our guide to hosting a baptism!
How to Host [People of God]
1. Know your goal: people encouraging each other
“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26
1st Cor 14:26 + Hebrews 10:24-25 declare that the purpose of Christian gatherings to be for mutual spiritual encouragement. We aim to plan our gatherings so that "each one" (1 Cor 14:26) can encourage the church, not just one person or leader. So while you need to be encouraging, the goal is to lead others to bring encouragement. This requires a lot of practice, training and humility!
Here are some lessons we've learnt so far:
- Make it clear this is a time for "each one of us"
Before you kick things off, most people are in animated conversations - keep this vibe going! If you want them to share, communicate clearly with words and actions that that is the purpose of this segment.
We've learnt that, the more you share, the less they will. If people settle into listening to you, it'll be hard for them to shift back to sharing mode!
If you feel led to begin with your own story or scripture, aim for your contribution to inspire people to share their own story, or at the very least, make it clear when you're done and it's "their turn". - Make people comfortable
Encouraging people to laugh, move and make noise themselves not only makes them feel comfortable but also subtly communicates to the group that this is a place where we participate, not sit silently. - Make the invite clear
Share a simple encouragement that our Good-orGod time is for "each one of us" to share our Good stories and our God stories. If you have something to share first, you could begin by saying, “In a few minutes, we'll take turns to hear Good-or-God stories from our weeks! But before you share, I've got a story from my week to kick us off!” - Make the invite broad, not narrow
We say, "Good-or-God", so that people can bring not only scriptures, prayers and thoughts from their week with God, but any story they are grateful to share with the group. There are no 'right answers'! This aims to avoid only the mature, "regulars" with a big personality who share each week.
In a sentence or two (max!), you can outline the kinds of things “each one of us” might feel to share: "Let's take some time now to share the good things from our week, anything that you're grateful for, and the God things, what you feel God's been doing in and around you."
We want people to get used to praising God for all the good things he is doing in their lives! - Avoid “adding to…” what people share
Unless it’s essential, avoid adding your own opinion or comments to the thoughts, stories and scriptures people share. This can easily diminish the sense that the Holy Spirit is leading us into shared, mutual encouragement.
Ask: will what I've planned help people to encourage each other?
2. Know your audience: long-time listeners, first-time sharers
While everyone is valued in our gatherings, we recognise that unless we encourage people, some are more naturally inclined to share than others. Since 1st Corinthians encourages us that "each one" has a part to play, we aim to engage those who have never shared before. This brings new freedom to their faith and kick-starts their spiritual gifts for the benefit of the church family.
One great practice Dan + Aimee introduced was to get people to share (or pray!) in pairs rather than out loud. in this way, we train people to share the Good or God things in their lives with just one or two others. You can then, optionally, invite someone to share publicly what they shared in two's or three's.
Ask: am I making it easy for a first-time sharer to speak up?
3. Know your gift(s): use them
Learn to discern and utilise your unique way of leading people to Jesus. These gifts are not about highlighting you and your spiritual capacity, but about how you can lead people to their own God-moment.
One of the greatest gifts is your history with God. When you host it's your time to speak out of the richness of your past and present relationship with God - his promises, healings and answered prayers.
Remember, God's gifts aren't for gifted but for whom the gift is ministering - God's church family. If you have a prophetic gift, be willing to lead out of how God may speak or lead. If you have a prayer gift, lead us to pray together or in pairs as God leads.
Ask: how can I utilise my spiritual gifts to bless God's church family?
4. Know your role: spiritual leadership
Though hosting is a skill that takes a long time to grow, your role in leading people is primarily spiritual, not simply a relational, communal bonding activity! Be confident that God’s given you this role to encourage and build faith in his people!
Spiritual leadership and authority in a church family come from two key relationships: knowing God and knowing people.
The week you are leading, the best preparation is to focus on your daily rhythms with God - enjoying his word and presence. When you arrive, ensure you connect with other people leading on the day as well as newcomers or people God leads you to. As you finish the gathering, ask God if there is anyone he wants you to invite into your life in the coming weeks. This will grow your spiritual authority within the group for all future leadership roles that you play.
Pray: “Come, Holy Spirit”, before you start and expect him to guide you.