Metropolitan Community Church will begin the “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” a five-week Wednesday course on empowering relationships from March 1 to April 5.
The church’s website mentioned that this Lenten Season, they would discover the practice of interconnection.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
The website added that through this class, members could learn some patterns of their lives to help them establish and empower their relationships.
According to them, they would have exciting personality tests, role-playing activities, and interesting research. They said that members would also have the opportunity to explore how Jesus taught them how to love.
In addition, the church encouraged those struggling to relate with a friend, colleague, neighbor, or spouse to attend the class.
They mentioned that they also welcome those searching for new ways to make meaningful relationships and conversations after the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The church also posted that it would be a hybrid class setting.
Significance of Relationships in Church
According to Rick Warren on the CBN website, “relationships are the glue that holds a church together.”
He explained that having good relationships of friendships are the answer to retaining members. One of his friends told him in a survey that 93% of the members joined the church because of the pastor.
As further mentioned, when asked if they would leave once the pastor leaves, 93% said no because their friends are in the church. The website emphasized that it is an allegiance that is normal and healthy.
In addition, Lyle Schaller conducted an extensive study that reveals that the more friendships a person has in a congregation, the lesser possibility that they would become inactive or leave.
However, Warren pointed out that according to his research, more than 75% did not feel anyone cared for them when asked why they left the church.
Moreover, he emphasized that it is a myth that people must know everyone in the church to feel they belong. He explained that the total church member knows 67 individuals in the congregation regardless if they have 200 or 2,000 attendees.
Warren stressed that a church member does not have to know everybody to feel he is a part of the church.
Relational Thinking
On the same website, Warren suggested that the church include some relational activity in every Congregation gathering. He pointed out that they should make as many opportunities as possible for members to meet and get to know each other.
As further mentioned, most church gatherings are simple lectures where attendees must sit still while listening. He revealed on the website that the congregation could walk in and out of the church for one year and never nurture friendships.
Moreover, he stated that larger churches could use nametags as often as possible since most people have difficulty memorizing names.
Warren emphasized that one of the effective ways to develop new friendships is through weekend retreats.
He added that the time a person spends with other members at a two-day retreat is more significant than what they would spend together on Sunday for a year.
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