Six months ago I changed churches. I loved my former church, but my wife and I decided it was best for us to join the church in the local ‘village’ in which we had bought our home.

When we first turned up, we decided that the best thing would be for us to initially sit back and soak in the vibe.

About a month or so ago, I could no longer hold myself back. I turned up to church with my guitar, and offered to slot into the church band. Ever since, I’ve played music most weeks, and now have led the songs on a few occasions.

For me, it was only when I started serving that I started belonging.

Maybe it’s my personality. Or perhaps it’s a normal part of the psychology of community involvement.

But whatever the case, it was only as I started serving that I really felt that I had officially ‘joined’ the new church.

However, there is a natural tendency for us to want to let newcomers settle in before we give them a chance to be formally involved. Sometimes, it’s because we want to vet the newcomers to ensure they are appropriate for the role. There is some merit in this.

Likewise, we are right to be concerned about giving unbelievers the limelight in our services, especially if their involvement ‘up-front’ has a natural implication that they are role models of Christian behaviour.

Yet, if a newcomer joins up, especially if they are already a believer, then giving them some sort of role immediately might be a great way to get them connected quickly.

Could newcomers be put on the morning tea or supper teams straight away? Could any of their skills be put to good use quickly, such as maintenance, cleaning, sound and technical, or something?

Perhaps it’s much safer to let newcomers just slowly assimilate into the local church community. But helping newcomers get involved in service might end up being the greatest way that we can serve them.

Jodie McNeill is the Executive Director of Youthworks Outdoors