If you haven’t been to church in a while, that’s okay. We understand. With the changes and challenges we’ve been facing in the past half-dozen years, we all have needed to take time to process and reevaluate.
While we understand, we also invite you to reconnect, rekindle your relationships and get involved once more.
Looking for a church home? Search Find-A-Church to peruse a list of United Methodist churches near you.
Unable to attend in person? Watch a livestream of worship services and ask a pastor about other ways you can be involved in the life of the congregation.
Chances are things are different than when you were last at church. Pastors have changed appointments, ministries have evolved or shifted their focus, and the community might have grown. Get curious about the new things God is doing and how God might be calling you to take part.
All Christians are vital to the faith community. As Paul says in Romans, chapter 12, “In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other.”
Community nourishes faith
The United Methodist Church is a safe space to be your authentic self, the unique and beautiful individual that God created you to be. You can ask challenging questions and wrestle with difficult decisions. You can thrive in a community where everyone is trying to figure out their purpose and live as faithful disciples of Christ.
While a strong faith is not dependent upon church attendance, being part of a body of believers is an essential aspect of mission, worship and celebration. Together, we pray, grow, celebrate communion and baptisms, and share joys and heartaches.
Church families offer support in times of distress, refuge in times of fear, healing in times of pain and a place to anchor during life’s storms. They’ll also join you in giving thanks when you are celebrating good news or exciting life events.
The outpouring of care that comes from your congregation comes directly from God. God moves among us and asks us to use our time and talents to serve each other. Don’t miss an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ – and to accept this gift when you are in need.
Extend invitations to people you miss
If you’re reading this and you’re already active in a congregation, you are likely missing people who used to be part of your faith community. You are not alone. The yearning you have to reconnect with people might be a call from God to amp up your outreach and invitation efforts.
Be sure your church is offering a good mix of discipleship opportunities, fellowship events and mission activities. This will ensure families and individuals can find a place to plug in, no matter where they are on their faith journey.
Personal invitations will always be the most powerful acts of evangelism. Call or text people you haven’t seen in a long time, ask how they are doing and invite them to join you for a cup of coffee. One-on-one interactions open the door to deeper understanding of what is happening in a person’s life. Then, you can share ways that the church can support them.
Don’t be disheartened. Time and patience are ever-present elements of outreach. Continue to pray about your efforts and listen to God’s prompting and direction.
Get inspired with these resources:
Too much? Start slowly.
If participating in a worship service feels like too much right now, remember that Sunday mornings are not the only time churches are active. Follow nearby churches on social media and subscribe to their e-newsletters so that you are aware of opportunities to engage. Consider these ideas:
- Fellowship events: Attend a fall festival, Advent cookie swap, Easter egg hunt, ice cream social, chili cook-off, craft night or pancake breakfast. These gatherings present an opportunity to see familiar faces, meet new people and catch up on congregational news.
- Bible study or small groups: Small groups are the perfect places to ask questions and learn from others’ perspectives. Perhaps your pastor leads a weekly study, or groups gather throughout the week to pray together. Joining a smaller group can be a solid first step back into the larger community.
- Mission efforts: Volunteering at the food bank, Vacation Bible School, community garden days or similar events are excellent times to nurture relationships. Serving alongside those who share your passions will help you find commonality and build friendships.
You belong here
God calls us to lean on each other, to ban together in mission and to grow, both in personal relationships with Christ and as a faith family. These facets of God’s grace and love can only be found through communal worship, prayer and fellowship. Don’t miss out on the many blessings that God has waiting in a United Methodist congregation near you.
Laura Buchanan works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. Contact her by email.
This story was published on July 28, 2025.
