Outwardly focused church. What does that even mean? I got several days to discover just that at the conference I attended. Going outside the church to where the people are, finding ways to connect to those who don't normally go to church, and being welcoming and accepting when they do walk in the church doors are all thoughts I had throughout the conference. Hearing from speakers about ways to achieve these things were enlightening. Watching a documentary about dying churches was scary, although it had glimmers of hope.
But, bringing it home was the piece of the puzzle I didn't want to miss out on. What good is a conference if I don't share and use that information. So, it was only natural to use the topic as a springboard for discussion at youth group. I had already begun developing new programs that support this idea. So, the conference reinforced that I was on the right path. That's always helpful. Spending the summer providing opportunities for group building, relationship building, and creating opportunities for inviting others to not seem so scary are all part of my summer plan. Events focused on inviting the community are planned.
But, now what? That was one of the questions I asked my youth. And, after some great video clips challenging them to "do and be church" and to "make church a verb", discussions, and lots of thought, here were their answers.
1) meet somewhere else-go to the ppl -luhr park or other parks
2) apartment clubhouse events-vbs type activities-
3) flyers on apartment doors-
4) monthly community day youth party-
5) backyard get together
6)more community service-mission Monday
7) ask random ppl to go to church
8) distribute Bibles-
9) have spanish church
10) have outdoor service-
11) distribute things door to door-apartment
There are some big ideas here! Some might take awhile and some more thought. Others are pretty simple and can be quickly put into action. But, all of them are ways that we can be an outwardly focused church. So, I am looking forward to what comes next.
So, where was God today? He was helping them come up with ideas to bring His love to others.
blessings,
Jennifer
But, bringing it home was the piece of the puzzle I didn't want to miss out on. What good is a conference if I don't share and use that information. So, it was only natural to use the topic as a springboard for discussion at youth group. I had already begun developing new programs that support this idea. So, the conference reinforced that I was on the right path. That's always helpful. Spending the summer providing opportunities for group building, relationship building, and creating opportunities for inviting others to not seem so scary are all part of my summer plan. Events focused on inviting the community are planned.
But, now what? That was one of the questions I asked my youth. And, after some great video clips challenging them to "do and be church" and to "make church a verb", discussions, and lots of thought, here were their answers.
1) meet somewhere else-go to the ppl -luhr park or other parks
2) apartment clubhouse events-vbs type activities-
3) flyers on apartment doors-
4) monthly community day youth party-
5) backyard get together
6)more community service-mission Monday
7) ask random ppl to go to church
8) distribute Bibles-
9) have spanish church
10) have outdoor service-
11) distribute things door to door-apartment
There are some big ideas here! Some might take awhile and some more thought. Others are pretty simple and can be quickly put into action. But, all of them are ways that we can be an outwardly focused church. So, I am looking forward to what comes next.
So, where was God today? He was helping them come up with ideas to bring His love to others.
blessings,
Jennifer
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