09/24/2026
Collide Church!
There’s something I’d like for us to begin thinking about and eventually discuss together after service one Sunday, especially in our collective grief as we remember and honor the life of our brother, Jason Battle: how we intentionally build relationships with new people who visit and join Collide.
Make them feel like how Jason made you feel!
As God sends new people to our church, I don’t want us simply to be friendly to them on Sunday. I want us to be intentional about helping them become genuinely connected, seen, known, and loved all throughout the week as well.
That doesn’t mean every person will naturally connect deeply with every other person. That’s neither realistic nor necessary. Different personalities will gravitate toward different people, and authentic relationships can’t be forced.
But I believe we can create a culture where everyone takes some responsibility for helping new people find connection.
Notice her. Talk to him. Learn his name. Sit with her. Introduce her to someone. Invite him into something. Get her number. Check on him. Find out what she enjoys. Help them begin building relationships beyond Sunday afternoon.
Think about Plinko on The Price Is Right. You drop the chip at the top, and as it makes its way down the board, it bounces from peg to peg until eventually it lands somewhere at the bottom.
In a way, I think new people entering our church are like that Plinko chip—and we're all at the bottom ready to catch them.
We don't know beforehand exactly where they'll land relationally. They may interact with several of us before discovering the people they naturally connect with most. But if we're ALL intentional about being available, welcoming, and willing to invest, eventually they'll find their people and their place.
That's the balance I'm hoping for: intentional effort with organic relationship. We intentionally create opportunities for connection, while allowing those relationships to naturally develop into whatever they're supposed to become.
And none of this requires you to be outgoing. You can be outgoing or reserved, extroverted or introverted. The prerequisite isn't personality—it's compassion.
If we genuinely care about the person walking through our doors, that compassion should move us toward them—even if the way we do that looks different for each of us.
No action needed right now. I just want you all thinking and praying about it, and we'll sit down soon and talk about what this could look like practically.
Love you all and appreciate you!
Pastor Jay T.
