A person’s ability to connect is always dependent on the relationships they build. Relationship is a strong value in Red and we provide a number of ways to enhance the ‘I feel connected’ process.
Sunday nights after Church we go out to dinner together. This varies from hanging out at someone’s house to popping down to enjoy the local Box Hill Asian cuisine. It’s usually a toss up between Indochine or Tien-dat, but you know, he with the loudest voice on the night wins! It’s always a fun, relaxed atmosphere and a great way to get to know people.
Yes we are talking pot-luck lunches, random people and good conversation. We run new comers lunches every three months or so to provide that direct opportunity for all those who are ‘new’ to get together, over a meal and hear the low-down of Red, but most importantly get to know people. If you’re keen to find out more contact Nat via red@redchurch.org.au
There’s nothing like getting to know someone over dishes! Like any church we are always on the hunt to find people to help out with the littler but vitally important things. We find the more engaged you are with the little things the more connected you feel, so if you’ve been coming along and haven’t yet picked up a tea-towel, poured communion or helped with pack-up please contact Amy via amy@redchurch.org.au.
For those who want to connect at deeper levels again, on a faith and leadership level, we have a number of opportunities:
Membership is when you’ve decided you want to ‘commit’ to Red Church and sign up to the core beliefs and values, officially sealing your decision. It is made up of people who are dedicated through time, resources, prayer and finances to the effectiveness of the Church. Additionally it helps us to understand who is ‘core’ to the Church. We attract all sorts of people with all sorts of backgrounds, reasons for coming to the Church and all sorts of commitment levels. Membership identifies those that are the most committed and can make up a quorum to decide on major issues and attend and vote at the AGM *please note membership isn’t about who’s in and who’s out …nor is it the cool-gang.
For those who want to go deeper again in their faith and commitment we have drawn on the biblical concept of ‘Overseers’. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, the term Overseer is used to describe a vital role in a spiritual community (often called elders or deacons). Overseers are lay leaders who are central to the health and vitality of the community. They are intent on developing their faith and character, have a servant attitude to leadership and seek to be led and trained at deeper levels. These are the crew that look out for people, pastorally care for people, engage in various ministry functions, pray for the sick and essentially hold the community together. The position of Overseer comes with a challenge – they are held to higher account and enter into a covenant of accountability (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9).
At Red we like to allow a person to be at the Church for one year before they consider committing at this level. This allows the person to settle into the community, be nurtured and receive (before they get into the thick of things) as well as enabling the Church to get to know the person/potential leader.