Book Recommendation

Servolution - By Dino Rizzo

This book gives the reader a history of Healing Place Church in Louisiana but goes beyond the step by step process. The author states that each church situation is different and this book shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a set of instructions on how to serve your community. Early on Rizzo talks about handing out bottles of water on street corners to hot and tired motorists. This may work in the heat and humidity of Louisiana but isn’t going to make such an impact on a wet weekend in Maine, but the principle is the same. The key: Identify real needs and serve people where you can.

Having come back from the Philippines for church planting, I (Jeff Hoglen) was presented with a question from one of our leaders, "If we partner with other chruches for outreach into the community, how can we be assured the people will attend our church rather than the others"? My answer was / and always has been the same as Dino Rizzo's. He’s clear that serving those needs are not part of a recruitment drive for your specific church. We are called to love our neighbors regardless of which church, if any, they choose to attend. So, the services are provided free and with love. Some may be accompanied by information of the church you are part of and when your meetings are, but in all cases the love comes first. Thats our motiviation - Love!!