Good News on the Ground - Real-world evangelism through everyday life.

Lisa Work and Sarah Reid explore whether churches should be a close-knit community of friends, a friendly community for newcomers, or both. They discuss practical ways to welcome people, examine traditions and long-running events that may no longer serve a congregation’s mission, and connect belonging with discipleship and the expansive love of God.

keywords

Invite Welcome Connect, church hospitality, Episcopal church, congregational life, church community, discipleship, welcoming newcomers, sacred cows

Key Topics: Lisa Work and Sarah Reid debate the distinction between a close community of friends and a broadly friendly community, concluding that churches need both.

Tight-knit groups, inside jokes, and familiar seating patterns can unintentionally make newcomers feel like outsiders.

A fellowship luncheon invitation to sit with someone new offers a simple way to disrupt comfortable social circles.

Friendly greetings can remain superficial unless congregational care extends beyond Sunday worship.

The hosts use the Invite, Welcome, Connect book’s “sacred cows” idea to question traditions and events that consume energy without advancing ministry goals.

They discuss evaluating beloved practices such as community barbecues and apple dumpling festivals without dismissing the memories and service they represent.

Traditions should be treated as doorways to faith, not gatekeepers; churches can adapt practices to meet current needs.

A tradition may have begun as a practical solution, like trimming a ham to fit a pot, then later be mistaken for an unchangeable rule.

Belonging and deep connection are presented as foundations for inviting others and forming disciples.

The closing challenge is to identify congregational habits with curiosity rather than judgment, remembering that human worth is not tied to performance or tradition.

takeaways

A community of friends, if you're not careful, can look a little bit like middle school cliques or high school cliques.

Are we making room? Are we making our table longer rather than smaller?

Tradition isn't a gatekeeper. It's more meant to be a doorway.

Why are we doing it? Are we doing it because we've always done it?

These things need to be evaluated periodically.

It just isn't serving us now.

What are we really being called to do at this time right now?

What if we're called to be a friendly community and a community of friends?

The table is never too small.

Our worth is full stop because we are beloved children of God.

key frameworks

Invite, Welcome, Connect

Sacred cows

Community of friends and friendly community as a both-and circle

Chapters

00:00 Friends or friendly: the question for church communities

02:00 How tight-knit groups can leave newcomers on the outside

03:47 A simple fellowship-lunch experiment in mixing tables

06:24 Friendly greetings versus lasting connection

09:29 Mystery guests and whether church welcome works

11:12 When a beloved church event no longer serves its purpose

14:14 Reconsider traditions with care for the people attached to them

16:02 Nostalgia, change, and the mission of the church

18:24 Tradition as a doorway, not a gatekeeper

20:18 How to identify and rethink a congregation’s sacred cows

23:18 The ham story: how practical habits become rules

26:08 Honor the past while discerning today’s calling

27:04 Why churches need both friendship and friendliness

29:06 Connection, belonging, and the work of discipleship

32:14 A listener challenge: notice traditions with curiosity

34:28 Belovedness beyond church performance

Good News on the Ground — Season 2, Episode 2

Invite: Evangelism Begins with an Invitation

For many Episcopalians, the word evangelism can make us a little uncomfortable. It can bring to mind pressure, persuasion, or trying to convince someone to believe exactly what we believe.

But what if evangelism is much simpler—and gentler—than that?

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, the Rev. Lisa Work and Sarah Reed explore evangelism through the lens of invitation. They talk about the people who invited them into communities, relationships, and experiences that helped shape their own lives of faith—and how something as simple as an invitation can open the door to connection, belonging, and an encounter with God.

Evangelism doesn't have to be coercive. We don't have to have all the answers, and we certainly don't have to "sell" God to anyone. Instead, we can pay attention to where God is already at work, build genuine relationships, and invite others to come and see.

Because sometimes a life of faith begins with something remarkably ordinary:

"Would you like to come with me?"

Lisa and Sarah talk about:

• Why the word evangelism can feel uncomfortable, particularly in the Episcopal Church
• The difference between invitation and coercion
• Personal invitations that changed the course of their own faith journeys
• Why prayer is an important part of invitation
• Building relationships before worrying about getting people through the church doors
• Creating communities where people experience genuine belonging
• Recognizing and naming God's presence in ordinary life
• Invitation as a spiritual practice—one rooted in relationship, sincerity, and courage
• Trusting that God's love is already at work before we ever extend the invitation

Who invited you?

Think about the people who have opened doors for you along the way—not only into church, but into friendship, community, purpose, or a deeper awareness of God's presence.

And then consider:

Who might God be inviting you to invite?

Not to pressure. Not to persuade. Simply to offer the possibility of connection and trust God with what happens next.

In this episode. A few moments from the conversationEpisode ChaptersSomething to ponderGood News on the Ground is a conversation about noticing where God is already at work in our churches, neighborhoods, and everyday lives—and joining in.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videosArtist: Benjamin TissotLicense code: DF59UUHQPXFDHM1U

In this episode, Rev. Lisa Work and Sarah Reid explore how churches, especially smaller congregations, can authentically invite, welcome, and connect with newcomers. They discuss the importance of assessing church practices, understanding diverse experiences, and asking the right questions to foster genuine relationships within faith communities.

Key Topics Covered:

• The purpose of the Invite, Welcome, Connect framework as an assessment tool, not a program.
• The significance of small churches participating as cohorts to share insights and growth.
• The role of systematic relationship-building in creating a sense of belonging.
• Stephanie Spellers’ insights on future faith and the importance of authentic connections.
• How to ask meaningful questions about faith, belonging, and challenges facing different generations.
• The value of authentic relationships over superficial programs in attracting and retaining members.
• The importance of asking the right questions to address real needs instead of assumptions.

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to Good News on the Ground and the new series

00:28 - Purpose behind the Invite, Welcome, Connect initiative

00:56 - How the framework helps churches assess and grow

01:24 - Distinguishing between a program and an assessment tool

02:21 - Tailoring resources for smaller churches within the diocese

03:19 - The cohort model for implementing Invite, Welcome, Connect

03:49 - Emphasizing context-specific and shame-free evaluation

17:09 - Building community through shared belonging and recognizing individual needs

22:50 - Reflection on the importance of being true to your church’s identity

23:19 - The value of human-centered design thinking for church growth and an illustrative story of innovation from Stanford students in India

Resources & Links

• The Church Is Changing - The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers at St. Stephen's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA 
• Stephanie Spellers - Official Website
• Invite, Welcome, Connect Resources
• Design Thinking Project about Inncubators

In this episode, Rev. Lisa Work and Sarah Reid explore how churches, especially smaller congregations, can authentically invite, welcome, and connect with newcomers. They discuss the importance of assessing church practices, understanding diverse experiences, and asking the right questions to foster genuine relationships within faith communities.

Key Topics Covered:

• The purpose of the Invite, Welcome, Connect framework as an assessment tool, not a program.
• The significance of small churches participating as cohorts to share insights and growth.
• The role of systematic relationship-building in creating a sense of belonging.
• Stephanie Spellers’ insights on future faith and the importance of authentic connections.
• How to ask meaningful questions about faith, belonging, and challenges facing different generations.
• The value of authentic relationships over superficial programs in attracting and retaining members.
• The importance of asking the right questions to address real needs instead of assumptions.

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to Good News on the Ground and the new series

00:28 - Purpose behind the Invite, Welcome, Connect initiative

00:56 - How the framework helps churches assess and grow

01:24 - Distinguishing between a program and an assessment tool

02:21 - Tailoring resources for smaller churches within the diocese

03:19 - The cohort model for implementing Invite, Welcome, Connect

03:49 - Emphasizing context-specific and shame-free evaluation

17:09 - Building community through shared belonging and recognizing individual needs

22:50 - Reflection on the importance of being true to your church’s identity

23:19 - The value of human-centered design thinking for church growth and an illustrative story of innovation from Stanford students in India

Resources & Links

• The Church Is Changing - The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers at St. Stephen's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA 
• Stephanie Spellers - Official Website
• Invite, Welcome, Connect Resources
• Design Thinking Project about Inncubators

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, Rev. Lisa Work and Rev. Bradley Mattson explore The CMEC Minute—a creative series of one-minute videos from Christ Memorial Episcopal Church that spark curiosity and conversation about faith. These short, engaging clips answer common questions about following Jesus, Episcopal worship, and everyday spirituality, helping people grow in faith one minute at a time.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Answering Everyday Questions: The CMEC Minute grew out of real parishioner questions about liturgical practices—questions that reflect the wider curiosity of people exploring Episcopal faith.

• Faith Education for All: The series aims to make spiritual formation accessible not only to those who attend church but also to seekers and the spiritually curious.

• Evangelism in the Digital Age: Short, shareable videos make it easier for parishioners to invite others into conversations about faith and worship.

• Curiosity as Evangelism: By creating a safe and engaging way to explore “why we do what we do,” the CMEC Minute turns curiosity into connection.

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, Rev. Lisa and Rev. Bradley sit down with Mother Barbara Hutchinson and Jessica Larkin to talk about Grace Place in Shippensburg, PA. The conversation explores the mission and growing impact of this community initiative, which began as a response to local needs and has evolved into a place of connection and transformation. Together, they reflect on the development of Grace Place, emphasizing the importance of community gardens, intergenerational involvement, and moving from transactional outreach toward authentic relationships. The guests and hosts highlight the healing power of shared experiences and worship, and how true community is built through collaboration, care, and God’s presence at work among neighbors.

Keywords

Grace Place, community engagement , food insecurity, intergenerational ministry, church outreach, community garden, healing, belonging, relationship building, worship

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Good News on the Ground

00:11 Exploring Community Initiatives in Shippensburg

00:51 Introduction to Grace Place

03:34 Community Engagement and Healing

06:35 The Role of the Garden in Community

08:59 Building Relationships Through Food

12:02 Transformative Experiences at Grace Place

14:39 Intergenerational Connections and Cookie Church

17:24 The Shift from Outreach to Belonging

20:14 The Essence of Community Engagement

23:03 Celebrating Togetherness and Growth

25:53 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

Grace Place Pictures

Follow Grace Place on Facebook

Grace Place Website

If you would like to learn more about the Grace Place you can contact Mother Barbara Hutchison at [email protected].

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, the Rev. Lisa Work sits down with Sarah McKeag Reid — a passionate beekeeper, founder of West Branch Apiary, and advocate for creation care.

Sarah shares how her journey into beekeeping has become a unique form of everyday evangelism, revealing deep connections between faith, community, and the natural world. From buzzing hives to blooming gardens, Sarah invites us to see how even the smallest creatures can teach us big truths about stewardship, compassion, and the Good News of Jesus.

Together, Lisa and Sarah explore the spiritual lessons bees offer, the challenges of tending creation, and how following our passions can become a powerful witness to God’s love. Whether you're a gardener, a nature lover, or simply curious about how faith shows up in unexpected places — this inspiring conversation will give you a fresh perspective on evangelism, ecology, and everyday discipleship.

Learn more about the West Branch Apiary

West Branch Apiary YouTube Page

West Branch Apiary Facebook Page

Summary

In this episode of the Good News on the Ground podcast, Rev. Lisa Work and Rev. Bradley Mattson explore the concept of evangelism, particularly within the Episcopal tradition. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding evangelism, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the role of the Holy Spirit. The conversation highlights the need for community engagement, sharing personal stories, and embracing imperfection in the journey of faith. The hosts encourage listeners to notice and celebrate the good news happening around them, fostering a culture of sharing and support within their communities.

Takeaways

• Evangelism often evokes weird feelings and misconceptions.
• Many associate evangelism with intrusive sales tactics.
• Authenticity in evangelism is crucial; it's about actions, not just words.
• The Episcopal definition of evangelism involves seeking, naming, and celebrating God's presence.
• It's not our job to convert; that's the Holy Spirit's role.
• We can plant seeds of faith, but God brings the growth.
• Sharing faith doesn't require having all the right answers.
• Community engagement and sharing stories inspire others.
• Embracing imperfection allows for growth and learning in evangelism.
• Noticing good news in our communities can spark inspiration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Evangelism and Podcast Launch

02:12 Defining Episcopal Evangelism

04:36 The Role of Presence and Action in Evangelism

07:13 Overcoming Fear and Sharing Stories

09:25 Highlighting Everyday Evangelism Stories

11:51 Learning from Failures and Imperfections

14:18 Invitation to Notice Good News

16:22 Join us next time

First Followers Video