For many years, the members of New Community Church in Ringwood have sought practical ways to serve their local community as an outward expression of the love that God has freely given them. Around three times per year, the church runs Engage Sundays, where members spend their church-service timeslot getting beyond the four walls of the church building to contribute to local projects and care for people in need.
Executive Pastor Yvonne Lindner said Engage started when the church was first planted 24 years ago and as the church grew its members did not want to lose this focus on serving and engaging with the local community. “It’s another expression of church. Some people say that, to them, this is the most fulfilling way they worship God. We’re out being the church in the world that we live in. We work hard to have projects that are accessible to all ages, although it’s actually up to the church family to suggest projects as they hear of needs amongst their neighbours, workplaces, nursing homes and schools.”
Engage activities range from helping with a backyard blitz and cooking for a community foodbank, to supporting school working-bees, donating blood, and planting trees in collaboration with the local council. “We rank community service right up there with gathering for worship. It’s about serving the world, serving the community, with no strings attached. We encourage everyone to be intentionally looking for opportunities to serve and inquiring of God about what He is calling us to do. It’s an opportunity to be Jesus’ hands and feet amongst the people we interact with.”
In August alone, the serving opportunities included helping with bushfire cleanup in northern Victoria; sharing a kids’ choir performance and morning tea with aged-care residents; running a pop-up car wash at the church; discussing faith with the church’s online community; rejuvenating a backyard; and helping someone move to a new house.
“I loved seeing people making connections and finding a way to get to know people,” said one attendee. “It was a privilege spending the morning with these people,” said another. A third said, “I took two things away from Engage. One is that God can use the ordinary and make something extraordinary happen. Two, is the importance of connection. In daily life, this encourages me to watch out for what people need and how I can make connections with people.”
Over the years, Yvonne has seen people overwhelmed with thanks because of the support offered by the church. Some have also started attending church through Engage. Yvonne says, “Much of the time, serving is complicated, messy, and doesn’t always turn out as expected, but it’s a good reminder that we exist for God and not for ourselves, and each Engage is a chance to grow in how to support others. We’re not aiming for a reward; we just serve and give because of the love God freely gave to us.”