Where the rubber hits the road…
For the past few weeks, I have asked participants at Community of Joy to keep their eyes open and take notice of the needs they see in our community; ways we can bless others.
Yesterday in both worship gatherings, we brainstormed a list after a sermon on the call of Jesus to love our neighbors. Here are the results. I am inviting the congregation to do two things with this list. 1. Pray over it asking God where they individually would best make an impact. and 2. Come to the carry-in on Sunday @ 12 noon prepared to share where they feel God leading them to get involved. We will need team leaders and team members. I am aware that we can not do the whole list at once…. but I want us to start moving out into our community to bless them with God’s love.
The list…
+ Get involved with Habitat for Humanity locally (perhaps choose a Saturday a month to send a team to work)
+ Parnter with Pinehurst Elementary School (it’s in our neighborhood) A person who works at the Bd of Ed immediately volunteered to talk to the Principal there to ascertain the needs.
+ visit homeless in their environment
+ Install a new bathroom floor for a handicapped sister – have team members need team leader.
+ Visit Shut ins
+ develop support systems for neighbors or others who are going through illness/ or elderly (run errands)
+ mentor children in public schools
+develop a day center for helping our homeless brothers and sisters break the cycle.
+develop a support network for folks who lost jobs
+ develop a support network for persons about to loose or having lost homes
+develop a SU type “Big Event” where we solicit work projects from our neighbors and participants
+ promote “eco-justice” issues — care of environment
+ help a handicapped sister with mowing, yard work
The list is not complete… it can be added to as they see needs.
Just thought I’d share how we are working at being more missional.
23 Mar 2009 Martin Hutchison
Good work, Martin! I like how you’re inviting the congregation to make the list. I hope that they will feel energized by experience and motivated to do something in the community.
Have you had the conversation with your leadership about how people will choose where to volunteer their free time? For many, their only focus for the church is “at church”. Will it be hard to find more time or to shift their focus from volunteering “at church” to being “the church” in the community? I know that you’ve recently written about this issue here. I’m just wondering how your leadership is on-board with the concepts.
Blessings to you and I hope you have a great Sunday conversation!
Jeff Glass
Jeff,
No need to talk to leadership… they are on board! They communicated many parts of the list and will be on teams, even leading teams to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community!
This week, we will form teams.
It really is an approach that I hope will accomplish many things… not least of which sends the church out into the community strengthening relationships there as well as strengthening relationships within!