Gateway Ministries

At last year’s Vestry retreat, we all shared stories about how we first got involved at St. Peter’s.  Not how or why we first came to St. Peter’s, but how or why we first really got involved.  Many people come through our doors, but only a fraction become active in a ministry beyond Sunday morning.  I wanted to know what it was that first got this group to take that next step.

Everyone went around the room, telling stories about their earliest experiences at St. Peter’s, and what got them to move beyond Sunday morning-only involvement.  By far and away (something like seven of the twelve people there) there was one ministry at St. Peter’s that did the best job of engaging people for the first time as a sort of “gateway ministry.”  Can you guess what it is?  Yep.  Coffee Hour.

In conversations with others, I’ve learned that this trend is not limited to the Vestry.  Perhaps you got involved at St. Peter’s for the first time helping out with Coffee Hour, baking a dish or bringing in a coffee cake or a plate of cookies.  When I think about it, the gateway quality to Coffee Hour makes perfect sense for three reasons.

First, who doesn’t love Coffee Hour?  It’s laid back, friendly and fun.  It’s the time when we get to extend the joy and fellowship of Sunday morning.

Second, it is tangible.  It is a job people can get their heads around, and really imagine doing on a relatively regular basis.  A lot of roles at church seem overwhelming, but the tasks associated with Coffee Hour are perceived to be realistic.  It’s like the old adage goes, if you can picture yourself doing it, you’re more than halfway there.

But the third reason is the most important.  For some reason, people involved with Coffee Hour have demonstrated a willingness to invite others to participate.  And there is nothing quite as effective at getting people involved in something as personally inviting them.  Announcements in the bulletin or newsletter, signage, and even me speaking about it before services don’t have the effect that comes from walking up to someone and asking them to take part.

These three reasons make a compelling case for getting involved, so much so that our participation in Coffee Hour is pretty impressive.  Lots of folks are happy to serve the church in this way, which is something to be proud of.

I think the other ministries at St. Peter’s could really learn something from the example of our Coffee Hour volunteers.  In particular, I’d love to see the list of “gateway ministries” expand to include something else that is central to our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ: outreach.  I pray for St. Peter’s to have the kinds of service ministries that people are proud to invite others to get involved with and support.  I would love to see our list of volunteers to serve these ministries be as long as the Coffee Hour list.  One ministry in particular is getting me excited right now, so let me commend it to you.

Recently St. Peter’s and St. Augustine’s in Kingston agreed to partner on a cooperative vegetable garden.  The food grown in this garden will go to support our Food Pantry, as well as the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale.  This fresh produce will be a fantastic addition to our existing operation, which was recently expanded to include frozen food and “living supplies.”

This garden could be an absolutely amazing ministry.  Growing food to feed our neighbors is perhaps the most practical, Christ-like thing I can think of.  And I think it could succeed at the exact same three criteria used earlier to describe the success of Coffee Hour: it’s fun and laid back, it is definitely tangible, and I’m hoping that once you participate, you will be willing to invite others to get involved.

Even if working in a garden is not something to which you feel God’s call, I do hope you will join me in my prayer that we be a community with myriad “gateways” to deeper life and service at St. Peter’s.  Through joy, imagination and invitation, we can all grow closer to our Lord.