When you go to a new church like I wrote about a few weeks ago (link here), one of the first things you may want to do is to find some new friends at that church. For some, it may be difficult to do that. I’m one of those people. I am a social butterfly but I find it difficult to just put myself out there. So here are some tips that I implemented and some that I could have then as well.1. You should talk to those around you before or after the service. Now, you can do this strategically or on a whim. Strategically, you can sit near someone who you think you could approach. Maybe someone around your age or someone who seems to feel comfortable there. On a whim, you can just sit anywhere and introduce yourself.

When doing this first suggestion, introduce yourself (obviously) and tell them you’re new there or how long you’ve been attending. Then ask them to tell you about their time there and let the conversation go from there.

2. Most churches will have volunteering opportunities. This is a fabulous way to meet new people. These opportunities could be single events or weekly that go along with the service like greeting people, working with the children, or helping people find an open seat. The first thing I did was volunteer to be a greeter. It was perfect to learn faces and meet people coming in the doors. Volunteering in general allows you to interact with others who are involved and enjoy being part of the community.

3. The last suggestion will change your overall church experience and help with your relationship with God which is join a small group! A lot of churches, if not most, have small groups or house groups or life groups or prayer groups of some sort. Ours are called house groups where you meet with a group on a preferred day of the week where you pray, read the Bible and discuss life. These groups can be very deep and rich. Some can be age specific and others will be diverse. If something like this isn’t advertised, ask one of the pastors about it. Explain that you are a new and want to get in a group of people. This might spark the idea of starting this sort of program.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to tell people you are new. They just might have suggestions for you.

What suggestions do you have for people wanting to find new Christian friends? What has worked for you?

XO Ashton