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Encouraging the Church to be active in the Community

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Frogman, Oct 3, 2005.

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  1. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    This topic may have been discussed here before. I don't know so if it has just point me to the link and I will read there.

    Otherwise does anyone have any suggestions for not just encouraging the church to be active in visiting and in other Community activities?

    I have been here almost a year (Oct. 17) and I have preached and taught on this topic a few times and I have also tried encouragement one on one.

    Members seem interested but show no action for the most part.

    Pray for this concern.

    Bro. Dallas
     
    #1 Frogman, Oct 3, 2005
  2. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Same here...lots of "amens" but not much action.
     
    #2 USN2Pulpit, Oct 3, 2005
  3. jshurley04

    jshurley04 New Member

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    You may have to jump start them in that area. Get a few who are willing to be involved and go out and find a way to be a part of the community. Offer to provide a pre-game meal for the local H.S. football team before a game. Or offer to do some work around a retirement center or sponsor a youth ball league. There are a number of things that you can do. If they are willing then they will follow, but they may need to see you stepping out with a few and then hear the excitement of those who worked the event. That excitement will do more than you can believe.
     
    #3 jshurley04, Oct 4, 2005
  4. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Sometimes we substitute being busy at church with being busy in the community. And we really should do both, since we are the salt and light.
     
    #4 SaggyWoman, Oct 4, 2005
  5. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Which, my answer is that there is nothing like setting the example. (and I point fingers at myself when I say this.)
     
    #5 SaggyWoman, Oct 4, 2005
  6. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Through the years I've been in two churches that really were growing due to the congregation witnessing. They both were groups where they just witnessed where they were, and in what ever they did in their normal every day lives.

    The key, in my mind, is getting the people to know that sharing their faith is important, and then to give them the tools to do so when they have opportunity.

    Most believers have the first one down, but seldom feel they have the tools. Getting them comfortable with speaking out for the Lord in normal situations is needed.

    Having said that, I am not sure what brought these two congregations to the point where they were comfortable doing their sharing. One had a series of several pastors and the other one had the same man for 15 plus years.

    Might boil down to just a real love for the Lord and knowledge of Him - that should naturally bring someone to share Him.
     
    #6 exscentric, Oct 4, 2005
  7. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    A hearty "Amen!" there. Too many churches never look past their own pews. This reduces the church to the level of social club.

    Do an activity for a local hospital.
    Enter a team of church members in a 5k walk.
    Halloween is coming up. Plan a harvest costume dance for the kids in the church as an alternative to trick-or-treating, and invite the local neighborhood kids.
    Get a few folks involved in a local Habitat for Humanit chapter.
    Invite worthy groups to use the church facilities at little or not cost, such as AA or Narcotics Anonymous.
    Get a group together to organize a local park cleanup.
    Thanksgiving is coming up. Organize involvement with your local homeless shelter.

    I could go on and on.
     
    #7 Johnv, Oct 4, 2005
  8. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

    Dear SaggyWoman, especially thanks to you. I have learned to not be easily offended by anything.

    I also have learned that I must always point my finger toward myself first then toward others IF and only IF I find I am where I should be and doing what I should be doing.

    I have always been a person who first judged themselves.

    I have talked about this with some of my deacons. I work full-time right now in that job I often find opportunity to witness, however, I work 30 miles from where I live and pastor, this does not mean that by the Lord's Blessing someone or many or whatever would not gladly travel the distance to hear the gospel or to hopefully grow in the Lord.

    We do need to become more active in the community. Some things, I think we must take care in, remember, for those of you who know me I am Sovereign Grace and a Landmarker.

    These things do not mean we are not to be actively engaged in the commission but contrary to that, because we believe what we do regarding the church we should, imho, be very active in witnessing the gospel and church truth.

    My deacons tell me the task is not to be put on my shoulders alone, We do have some members who do witness actively I have been with them when they did this, in the hardware store, etc.

    Anyway, pray for us in this.

    We live in a very small community 25 miles west of L. Rock; 30 miles northwest of Benton and 26 miles east of Hot Springs.

    L. Rock and other communities east of us are growing toward us through sprawling subdivisions. This is a time, inmho, that our little congregation, if stepping out in obedient faith could witness a blessed growth.

    There are three other churches in the community, all four (including ours) are older establishments. We have more youth than adults currently and I have been working on this group as well as some of the adults who are 'set' in their ways.

    I do not mean I have been encouraging what would be termed unbiblical practices just for the sake of drawing numbers.

    Anyway, I appreciate all the suggestions and count it all as advice, very much worthy of my consideration and full attention. If not, I would not have posted the topic.

    May God Bless All,

    Bro. Dallas Eaton
     
    #8 Frogman, Oct 4, 2005
  9. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    My problem is that I enjoy being in that "social club" at church.

    Things that have helped me is being able to volunteer in the community....Like I enjoy theatre, so I volunteer at a Charlotte theatre group. That is one thing that helps keep me salty.

    Being active in the community may bring a little criticism from the Pharisees at church... but remember their name.
     
    #9 SaggyWoman, Oct 7, 2005
  10. Brother Ian

    Brother Ian Active Member

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    You are not alone Brother Dallas. Many in the church have decided that it is the "calling" of others in the church do go out in the community. It is difficult to motivate some people, but don't give up.
     
    #10 Brother Ian, Oct 8, 2005
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