Taking Church beyond the Building

Pastor Wayne Coleman of Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Paterson, N.J., believes churches should take a more active role in their communities by partnering with God in the work he is already doing there. Outreach isn’t about bringing people into the church building, Coleman explained; it’s about being the church wherever people are.

Madison Avenue CRC, which has both English- and Spanish-language services, tries to live out this vision by offering discipleship houses, an emergency food pantry, ESL (English as a second language) classes, an afterschool program, Friday-night youth activities, and more in order to extend God’s love to neighbors.

"Outreach might be a desire in our minds and plans, but it should also be a desire of the heart," he said. "It’s not just about doing outreach; it’s about truly wanting to connect with and love the people we’re serving." 

The Importance of Building Relationships

Ministry starts, said Coleman, with relationships. "[Ministry impact] is not something that happens overnight," he explained. "It takes time and intentionality. From the leadership down to the congregation, everyone needs to be actively connecting with people." 

And this outreach doesn’t always require large-scale initiatives or big budgets. "Sometimes it’s the small things that matter most," Coleman added, saying that church members could volunteer in the neighborhood or pass out food. “But don’t just hand it over, take the time to get to know the people you’re serving. Flyers are good, but face-to-face relationships are what make a difference." 

Madison Avenue CRC itself started with simple acts in the community, Coleman said. "When people see you, they’ll ask what you’re doing, and that opens the door for relationship-building," he explained. “Start cleaning up local parks and partnering with the sports and recreation department. Volunteer at a local hotdog stand and build connections.” 

He also encourages people to take it slow. "Start with small things," he said. "You can invite people to community activities, like child care on Fridays or events for mothers. I once heard Dr. John Perkins, founder of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), ask this thought-provoking question: ‘If your church closed today, would the neighborhood miss it?’ Simple actions like these help make the church truly relevant to the community."

Encouraging Church Members to Engage

One of the challenges Coleman said he often hears is that some church members feel they’ve "done enough" over the years and are ready to step back. "I try to remind them that we all have gifts, regardless of our age," he said. He shared the story of an 83-year-old church member who helps to sign kids in at Madison’s afterschool program. "She could say she’s too old, but instead she’s present where she can be. That’s her gift.”

"And when you serve others, you’re not only blessing them, you’re blessing yourself,” said Coleman. “You feel God using you, and you learn from others in the process. Engaging with people from different cultures and languages teaches us something about the neighbors we’re called to love."

Coleman also challenges members to reflect on their involvement in ministry. "If you’re just going to church but not doing anything outside of it, how are you experiencing the gifts that God has given you to bless others?" 

Building a Missional Church

Coleman recognizes that having this kind of attitude is not always easy. In fact, he argues that much of our Reformed approach can lead people to overthink church programs rather than getting started. 

"We try to intellectualize outreach so much that we lose its simplicity," he said. "Just step out your door—sit at a local diner, barber shop, or nail salon. Listen to what people are talking about. If you take the time to hear them, they’ll tell you what’s going on. Then do something about it." 

Coleman emphasized that while churches often come up with their own ideas for helping the community and encouraging people to come to their worship services, true impact starts with learning about and addressing actual needs.

"It’s not about the building anymore,” he said. “The goal isn’t to get people to come to church but to encourage people to be the church in their communities. Whether it’s in a barbershop, park, or gym, that’s where ministry begins. And even if those people don’t end up in your church, it’s a blessing to be part of building God’s kingdom."

One of the most effective ways in which Madison Avenue CRC has embraced outreach is through its Friday Night Youth Rec program, which welcomes kids who’ve never been exposed to church.

"We teach them the Ten Commandments, but, more importantly, we meet them where they are," Coleman said. He also highlighted the importance of preparing the congregation before opening the church doors to the community. "The congregation needs to be ready to embrace people who might look and act differently and to welcome them," he explained. "Some of these kids won’t behave like yours; they don’t know how to act in a church setting. This will take time, but they need to feel welcomed."

Overcoming Challenges in Outreach and Fostering Diversity

When Madison Avenue CRC began to really step into community outreach, it was not without its challenges. Reaching out to the community can feel uncomfortable to those who have never done it. This, said Coleman, is where church leadership needs to set an example. 

"The biggest challenge is in getting churches to move beyond their comfort zones and actually engage with the community," he said. "It has to start with leadership leading by example." 

Coleman also noted that outreach ministry can lead to more diversity in our congregations and that this too can be uncomfortable. In Madison Avenue’s case, outreach resulted in many more Spanish-speaking members and attendees.

"Some may not want to relinquish power or make room for people who are different," he said. "But inclusion isn’t just about programs; it’s about sharing decision-making, listening to others, and creating space for them to grow."

This, said Coleman, involves letting go of control and embracing the gifts brought by other cultures. "We must leave our comfort zones, relinquish control, and open our hearts to learn from other cultures and the gifts they bring. These gifts must be allowed to flourish so that everyone feels they are a part of the body of Christ," he said. 

When Madison Avenue CRC started its Spanish-language services, Coleman and the council made clear that the church would remain one. "For this to happen, it won’t be two congregations; we will be one church," he said. While the Spanish ministry has a separate worship service, the church seeks to ensure full inclusion. "We do things together, and the Spanish-speaking members are represented in our council where decisions are made. They are heard," Coleman said.

"It’s just window dressing if you don’t allow people to share their gifts equally," he explained. "You might have many cultures represented, but if they don’t feel included or heard, they won’t feel like they truly belong."

Trusting in God’s Provision

Reflecting on the story of King David, Coleman shared an important lesson: "David’s mistake wasn’t just his sin with Bathsheba but his desire to count the people. God wanted David to depend on him, not on numbers. It’s the same for us. It’s not about how many people fill the seats; it’s about trusting God to grow his kingdom."

For Coleman, outreach is about more than programs or events. It’s about becoming a missional presence, building genuine relationships, and pointing others to Christ through everyday actions. "We need to remember," he concluded, "that we are called to join God in the work he’s already doing. And when we do that, God takes care of the rest."