People long to belong. (Check out this article.) Parents at church are no different. They want to know other church people! Church is one place that all ages can make friends. Community is one of the reasons a person, or couple, or families join a congregation. Church friends are important to children and youth. By my definition, church friends are friends that people only see at church. That’s what makes church friends special! (Read more about church friends here.)

At my church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Twin Cities, we started a new program this summer for parents and children to meet and play! It’s called “Church Family in the Park, and it is just that! Church family coming together at a local park, eat pizza, and play together.

Here is why this simple ministry matters: Notice the photo of the two little girls in the center? One family has been going to Bethlehem for years, and the other is their neighbor and just started coming to church this spring. Belong to a community is all about inviting new people in and showing up for each other.