“Why should we do a Neighborhood Café Bible Study in someone’s home?” Women’s Ministry leaders might ask. “Our church has Sunday School, and nice rooms to use throughout the week. Can’t we just invite our neighbors to church?”

Yes, you can – and you should. Your church is the perfect place for women to grow in Christ… but the home is the perfect place for women to meet Christ. Neighborhood Café Bible Studies expand your ministry and strengthen your community by moving church-based Bible studies into comfortable, non-threatening homes.

Open the door to fellowship with friends who attend other churches, and invite neighbors who may not know Christ. The Neighborhood Café Kit for Churches contains everything you need to share “Coffee, Conversation & Christ” with your community.

Step 1: Teaching

Exhort and encourage all women in your congregation to think missionally in their own neighborhoods. This step is applicable and important to every believer, regardless of their intent to host a Neighborhood Café.
Four sessions teach why ministry happens in the home, demonstrate how to begin spiritual conversations, explain the need for neighborhood ministry and obliterate the excuses each woman has for avoiding evangelism.
Sessions can be delivered in person at a Women’s event or retreat; done as four Bible studies individually or in groups; or shared in print newsletters.

Step 2: Discerning

This Step is best conducted one-on-one between the Café Hostess and Women’s Ministry leader. It is supplemented by a take-home Bible study each woman can do independently.
Identify Café Hostesses and ensure she has the blessing of the Lord, the support of her husband (if married), and the covering of your church.
Prepare for the inevitable spiritual attack when women and churches purpose to share the Gospel.

Step 3: Equipping

This one-day retreat equips your Neighborhood Café Hostesses with the tools they need to invite their neighbors and friends to a home Bible study.
Ten sessions cover everything from scheduling to housekeeping to childcare. Hostesses leave this event with invitations in hand, knowing what they will say, when they will meet, how often and for how long, and what Bible study they will do.

Step 4: Helping

Two sessions before the first Neighborhood Café meets equip the Hostess as facilitator and leader of a small groups of women.
Two sessions after the Cafés launch focus on creating lasting friendships as well as a community service project for each Café.
Each Neighborhood Café also receives its own web page and email template for connecting with their neighbors.

The Holy Spirit is preparing the hearts of our neighbors to respond in a way we may never have seen before. Often, their first step toward our Savior is when we step out of our formal sanctuaries onto their front porch.