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Tea Parties Open New Doors to Evangelism
SAN JOSE, CA (June 17, 2002) - First Covenant Church in San Jose is using
neighborhood tea parties to reach their neighborhoods for Christ. Four
recent events brought 88 people - including about three dozen newcomers -
into significant relationships with church members.
"At First Covenant San Jose, like most churches, we have visitors coming to
church each week," said Luann Budd, whose husband, Kevin, is senior pastor
at First Covenant (a church of 125). "The challenge is how to develop
friendships and welcome newcomers into the life of the church. How do we
encourage long-time members to connect with visitors? Last fall eight women
decided to do something that would help us reach out to
our newcomers. We decided to have tea."
Church members hosted four home-based teas on Saturday afternoons in
October,
November, February and March. "Two of us prepared the tea - the other six
invited a woman who was a newcomer to church," Budd explained. "Our tea
team encompassed all ages: the youngest was in her early 20s, the oldest
just recently celebrated her 80th birthday. We love the multi-generational
mix, the diverse perspectives and varied experience."
How did the tea parties become such a hit? The plan for the 90-minute teas
was simple enough, Budd said. "The afternoon of the tea, we picked up our
guest so that they wouldn't have to arrive at a home and face a new group
of people alone. We prepared name tags and little treats for each one."
After introductions, Budd and company asked newcomers to discuss a special
friend in their life and how they happened to come to First Covenant. The
hostess for the day then shared a special story from her life and some
scripture verses. After prayer, the group had tea and snacks.
Budd has been most encouraged in the fact that nearly all who attended the
teas have assimilated into the church in some form. Some are serving in
children's ministries and becoming regulars in the women's Bible study. An
April tea at church was planned with special music and a guest speaker,
Ruth Ann Overbeek, and many newcomers participated in planning the event.
Members sent participants a follow-up note with a favorite tea sandwich and
scone recipe, Budd said.
"Women on the (tea party preparation ) teams loved opening their homes and
dusting off their tea cups, said Budd, a published author and an
administrative officer for the San Jose State University library. "We
targeted women who had been to the church once or twice, people we thought
might be lost in the cracks. Since we were hosting a tea each
month, each of us on the committee became very aware of visitors. On Sunday
mornings, we looked forward to meeting new women visiting our church. We
were on the lookout for a new friend to bring to tea.
"The newcomers were the most active in helping to plan the tea and invite
their friends," Budd continued. "In fact, they were the ones most anxious
to invite their friends and family . . . some women invited their whole
neighborhoods. Our hope is that through having tea and experiencing just a
taste of the Lord, these women are one step closer
to developing a relationship with Jesus."
Budd recently authored Journal Keeping: Writing for Spiritual Growth
published by InterVarsity Press. For more information about the book or the
tea party events at First Covenant, email Budd at kevinatchurch@juno.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
