WHO will serve?

This is obviously a key area, and again will vary by church.  Many churches  are already infused with an energy and desire to serve.  Others are in different places in their local outreach paths.  An objective assessment in this area will drive your plans for communication and who you will equip to serve. 

Some key questions to consider are:

• Will our entire congregation serve together?
• Will our small groups serve together (Sunday school, lifegroups, etc)?
• Will our internal ministries serve together (children’s, youth, greeters)?
• Will new attendees, members,staff,elders serve?
• Will guests be encouraged to serve (neighbors, co-workers, etc)?
• Will families serve together (what ages are appropriate)?

 WHO will lead?

As with any core value of a church, it is imperative to have someone who is the catalyst for the vision, evaluation, and forward movement of that value.  Serving outside the four walls of your church should be a part of your core values.  It is still crucial to have someone who has a passion for local outreach to commit to the overall value.    

Some key questions to consider are:

• Will it be a Pastor, Director, Administrator, or Volunteer? 
• Which ministry leadership will it fall under in your church structure? Local Missions, Discipleship, Benevolence, etc.
• Is the person empowered and equipped to carry out the outreach mission of the church effectively?

 WHO will we serve?

There are many, many opportunities to serve outside the four walls of your church.  Determining the people groups you are being called to help, the community ministries you partner or will partner with, and the ability to serve individual families in need are a significant part of the organizing and preparing your church to serve.     

 Some key questions to consider are:

• WHO needs to be served in our city?            

                                      Homeless                                 Public Schools                   Healthcare

                                      Less Fortunate                       Youth                                   Families

                                      Disabled                                    Business                               Orphans                    

• What community organizations/ministries are providing services AND the gospel of Christ?  Do we currently partner with any? 
• Do we want to focus on specific needs and community ministries? OR Do we simply want to give an “open window” to our members to search and fill community needs?
• Do we have the ability within our congregation to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of individual families in the community?
• Do we want to find the needs of families in the community for our members to adopt? OR Do we simply want our members to see and fill the needs as posted by other organizations.

We encourage you not to duplicate what is already being done, but direct your members to serve the many needs of the community through agencies that are already serving the people in need.  Churches and minsitries should be united as one body to make more of impact in Jesus’ name.

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Just as there is a purpose in going in taking a class of students on a field trip, there should be even more purpose in transforming lives into a lifestyle of serving.  The intent and motivation of WHY we are serving brings the end result to the forefront.

Service is the ultimate growth model for a church.  The best church growth plan was the first church plan in Acts.  It was about healing, feeding, and selling all they owned to help those in need.  It wasn’t focused on top notch worship or the most inspirational and relevant sermons.  Demonstrating God’s love is far more powerful than just hearing or talking about it.  It was well said by Saint Francis of Assisi “Preach the Gospel at all times – if necessary, use words”.

Jesus knew people often can’t see past their physical needs to even think about their spiritual  needs.  He knew He had to meet them right where they were.  That’s why Jesus almost always met a need before He told them who He was.  He fed, healed, or counseled those in need (i.e. the woman at the well in John 4), then He told them He was the Son of God.

We should be building a relationship with people through serving their physical needs and then tell them where that love comes from and why we are so compelled to share it with others  – Jesus Christ.

Ask yourself as a church. “Are we serving to . . .”

            connect our members together?

            lead more people to a decision of salvation? 

            bring people to Christ with a plan to disciple them? 

            fill the physical needs of those less fortunate? 

            encourage people to come to our church (increase membership)? 

            serve with other churches and ministries to  unite the body of Christ?                                                                                                                           

More than likely, the reason why you are serving is more than one reason above.  Based on your answers, articulate WHY your church will serve/or is serving others in the community.  Have a purpose statement just for your outreach is a great foundation to leading your members to move in the community.  It could be something as simple as

Serve, Love, Have Fun . .. Share Christ!  

Next blog we will talk about WHO will serve, WHO will lead, and WHO will be served.  Would love to hear from you! :)

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My motives when I serve are noble. I want to do good things: help the poor, care for the sick, share God’s word. It’s all good. But, sometimes I get burned.

I get burned not by those I’m helping—they are generally appreciative and kind. I get burned because serving doesn’t always produce the results I hoped for. Often we put our needs and the needs of our Church ahead of the needs of those we are helping.

The Church wants a three-hour Saturday morning mission experience in the inner city. The Church wants a 7-day trip to Africa to build a well. I want to scoop mashed potatoes onto a plate and peer into the eyes of a hungry child and feel good about it. Face it. It’s true.

What the inner city mission really needs is tutors on Thursday nights, and the village in Africa needs a micro loan program to build sustainable business so they can build their own well, and maybe that hungry child needs a parent with a living wage. I’m not sure—but, I never took the time to find out. I just did what I thought was best.

I’m a “religious tourist.” I’m a “social worker,” not a neighbor. I like to “do things for” other people rather than “do things with” other people. I want a short-term feel-good experience and am not always interested in a long-term investment opportunity.

I have a hunch I’m not alone.

Are you with me? What are we going to do about it?

-These are reflections from Robert Lupton’s recent book Toxic Charity. Christianity Today recently shared this article about the topic.

Posted in Community Development, Families & Individuals Serving, Missions & Outreach, Uncategorized
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 Ahh… (yawn).. OK OK  she’s off to work where   do I start? First, you’re off to the florist to get a dozen long stem roses. Then you are off to the grocery store to get her favorite chocolates and maybe grab a few candles while you’re there. Oh no, I didn’t get her anything! Now you jet over to the Jewelry store to get her some earrings and the last heart shaped trinket for miles.

Whewww… I’m done, another year in the bag. This is the  story for many of us every year on this day. We get so caught up in the formality of the holiday that we forget just that.. This is a “Holiday” or  to pull from the etymology of the word “Holy Day.” Yes people, the word holiday has the derived meaning of  a day representing a holy/religious celebration.

      Hmmm, religious Valentines Day? What is  the correlation to God. Well in-keeping with the universal theme of “love” which is what this day is all about right? I have posted 7 ways that God has shown love to us. So tonight when you’re at that 5 star restaurant or just having a candlelight dinner with your significant other, I challenge you to to speak about the love of God.

Provided by: Biblestudyplanet.com

God loves us with Atoning love.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (Jhn 3:16-17)

God loves us with Redeeming love.

“God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:3-4)

God loves us with Justifying love.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” (Rom 3:23-25)

God loves us with Sanctifying love.

“We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:10)

God loves us with Glorifying love.

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2)

God loves us with Adopting love.

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Rom 8:15)

God loves us with Calling love.

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Pet 2:9)

 

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In order to get the most out of anything, organization and preparation are essential. We find inspiration from Jesus in Luke 6:47-48 when He gave instruction on how to build a house.  With a proper foundation, the structure can withstand anything.

Some questions to consider that will help determine a vision and lay the foundation for successful service outside the four walls of your church are:

          WHY are we serving?

                          WHO will serve? Who will lead?  Who will we serve?

                                        WHERE is our membership in terms of current service?

                                                             WHAT are the needs of our community?

                                                                                 HOW will we mobilize our staff and members? 

                                                                                                   WHEN do we begin this transformation?

The answers to these questions should not be taken lightly.  We will explore these questions further over the coming weeks to lay a foundation in your church for a change in culture, to a lifestyle of serving.

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed?  Like there is too much to do with being a spouse, a parent, serving in ministry, being a leader, being a friend, a child, etc.  You see all there is to do, but just can’t do it all on your own.  God makes these seasons in our life to call us back to Him – because guess what?  . . . We can’t do it on our own, we need Him.  I found comfort in God’s word in a season in my life, where I felt just this way. 

 In John 6:1-15 there is the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.  In that story there is a “formula” for what to do in life when we feel overwhelmed, when we see a crowd coming and just don’t feel like we can do it.  

1. Ask for help – In verse 5 Jesus (although he already knew the answer) asked for help.  We should ask God for help and put down our pride and ask those around us for help.
2. Don’t focus on what we don’t have – In verse 7 Philip pointed out what they didn’t have.  Quickly Andrew changed the subject to what they did have.  We need a community of believers to help keep our focus on the positive.
3. Give what we have to God – In verse 9 they gave the five small loaves and two small fish – small things, but in God’s hands can be big.  We should surrender all we have to God our talents, our mind, our body, and our soul.
4. Be still – In verse 10 Jesus instructed the disciples to have the people sit down – take a break, prepare in mind and body to fully receive what the Lord is about to do.  We should slow down and be still in His presence.
5. Give thanks – In verse 11 Jesus gave thanks to The Father for what they had. Give thanks for the small things in our life that God can use to perform a miracle.
6. Expect a miracle plus leftovers – In verse 12 they were all fed and there were even leftovers!  Anticipate that God will provide abundantly more than we can imagine when you put your trust and faith in Him.  I don’t know about you, but I’ll take a “doggie bag” from God.
7. Tell others – In verse 14 the people began to tell others about this miracle.  Be sure to share what God has done in our lives with others.  This is our testimony of God’s love. 

Now don’t get me wrong, our God is not a genie where as we do certain steps, we will get hat we want.  However, our God is one that wants our whole hearts, to surrender to Him, and seek His guidance.  As we seek his wisdom, what we ask for will align with His will.  It is when we are in His will, that He will provide all that we need . . . plus leftovers! Next time you feel overwhelmed, be encouraged in His word.

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How can we translate aspects of our career and jobs in  working American,Church Administration and  ministry  into serving outside of our parameters?

Our Guest Blogger for this week is Amanda N.Jackson of Current Connections Consulting.

In defining the relationship of the Church and the community, I am reminded of stewardship. God’s first commandment to man was in Genesis 1: 28, “And God said unto them…take heed to the Land and oversee every living thing in the Garden of Eden.” Sure God meant, in the literal sense to roam and take care of the Earth, but is there perhaps figurative meaning?

Some church goers draw a line between religion and other aspects of life, civic responsibilities in particular, and restrict Christianity to what happens in Church  Sunday School, Sunday worship, in Bible Studies and Prayer meetings, to acts of charity and to the necessary transaction of church business.

Christ commissioned us to make disciples and bring new sheep into the fold. That work is easier when those we reach out to can consider their spirituality in every act of life.

- Amanda N. Jackson of Current Connections Consulting.

This transitions us out of the perceived lines of business and our religion and  the mentality of not intermixing the two. As businessmen and church staff members we must open our minds to what we can do to serve the community outside of our perceived job descriptions. Stewardship is about us taking care of everything that God has blessed us with.

As quoted by Amanda in Genesis 1:28, “God has blessed us with dominion over the land and all it’s inhabitants.” God has given dominion to us not man. Man has set parameters to our responsibilities but we can’t allow our parameters to limit us from fulfilling our God given authority to draw men unto him.

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Remember back to when you were in school.  There was the routine of getting up at the same time every morning, eating the same cold cereal, finding the same seat on the bus, sitting in the same desk in each classroom, having lunch at the same table, knowing the bell was going to ring at the same time throughout the day, listening to the teachers teach the same subjects in the same order for days on end.  Do you remember asking “Why do I ever need to need to know ___________? I will never use this in the real world.”

Now remember those very few days a year that were announced “We are going on a field trip next week!” Everyone goes into a frenzy for simply the thought of something different to do.  An uncontained buzz of excitement, high fives, and laughter fill the room.  There is so much excitement that you can’t even hear yourself think.  You even see a little smile emerge on the teacher’s face for the frenzy she just caused.  You don’t get to linger in this moment for very long, as the teach calls order back to the room.  You think, “Oh yeah, she hasn’t even told use where we are going” (although that doesn’t really matter, you are just ready to get out of school).  She announces where you are going and begins to explain the purpose behind the real life application of what you have been learning for weeks. You aren’t listening to much of what is being said as you have already begun in your mind the anticipation of “the field trip”.

Your attitude changes for the whole week in expectation of the field trip.  You rush home thrilled to tell your parents what was announced in school that day and to ask them to sign your permission slip.  You have conversations with friends on who will be who’s “buddy” that day.  You even begin to think about what your mom might pack for lunch that day.

On the day of the field trip your entire routine is thrown out the window and there is a carefreeness (I don’t think that is a word) about life, even if just for a day.  Your day started the same with the alarm clock going off, but there is pep in your step.  You don’t eat the same breakfast; instead you opt for something warm.  You don’t sit on the same seat on the bus on the way to school, because you sit with who is going to be your “buddy” on the field trip.  Instead of hearing the same bells ringing, you hear the same energizing buzz (all day long) that you heard when the teacher announced the field trip.en begin to think about what your mom might pack for lunch that day.

And here comes the thing you were never anticipated to happen . . . you learned why you were being taught ________ and how it is used in the real world.  Minds are opened, lights come on, and purposes are found when you get out of the everyday routine.

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I wanted to share an inspirational story with you today about how an ordinary young American woman acted out of simple obedience to God’s Word, and He is using her to change lives and provide hope in Uganda.

This young woman is Katie Davis.  She regularly posts to her blog:  “Kisses from Katie“.  Many of us in the church often think that someone like Katie is something “Super Special” or has received a special calling, and yet when you watch her short video about her life in Uganda she has a very poignant responses to that question.  Check it out here:

“Kisses From Katie”

Let’s take just a few moments to be inspired today to live simply for others as we are called by Christ!

Matthew 22 verses 37-40 says:

“Jesus answered:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Bless others today as you would like to be blessed.

-Jason

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In King David’s darkest and chaotic moments of his life he pinned these words, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10).  You see God spoke the world into existence, and God spoke you into your mother’s womb. Even now, God wants to speak into the chaos and confusion of your life to bring it shape and form. 

This is what I call a Genesis event. It’s when God speaks into the void and the darkness of your life, creating for you a new beginning and a fresh start.  Did you know God can create something from nothing; He can take a heart that is broken, impure, or failed and create a heart that is whole, pure, and purposeful. God created you to soar, so He takes an active role in creating your new heart, and bringing order to the chaos of your life.  We have one responsibility in tough times; surrender to His sovereignty, humble ourselves before Him, and ask for His help.

Let God speak a Genesis moment into your heart and into the circumstances of your life. Let me encourage you never forget,  “everything that you have–right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—all of it comes from God by way of Jesus Christ”.  Our genesis experience is a result of allowing God to renew in each of us a firm and focused spirit no longer chaotic or moved by events, circumstances, or feelings. When God speaks even in our chaos we experience a new energy, new enthusiasms, and fresh passions.  With that in mind let’s live His life out loud…

author: Pastor Joe Saragusa, The Crossing Church

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