Thursday, October 25, 2012
Holiday Outreaches.... Time to Make Plans!!!
Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it. Get planning NOW!!! Here is a great article from our friend Steve Sjogren.
3 Fun and Inexpensive Holiday Outreaches
Saturday, June 30, 2012
$1 Car Wash Outreach
We have all seen servant evangelism done with a "free car wash". This have been successful in sharing the love of Christ in a practical way. Some people however are apprehensive about taking advantage of such a deal.
What if we advertised a $1 car wash and instead of us receiving $1 per car.... get ready...... wait for it.... we give them a dollar? Many outreaches cost something. For our church, the low side (of cost) is around $100. So with that budget in mind.... go and wash 100 cars :) All of the other materials can be gathered from folks in the church...friends... and family.
Think about it and let me know how it turns out.
Think about it and let me know how it turns out.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Engage Culture....
Engage culture:
Do you have any friend outside of "church"? Jesus was a “friend of sinners.” He did that by eating with them. We must be friends with the culture. We need to be missionaries. What do you like to do? Drink coffee? Go and hang out at the local coffee shop... and be friendly. Don't be a like a salesman trying to turn or burn someone to come to the Lord. Just be yourself.... hopefully you aren't an overbearing legalistic sort of person :)
What was Jesus like? People wanted to be WITH JESUS.
When was the last time people were knocking down doors to get into your church/small group?
Our problem is perception.
What people 1) See.... 2) Hear..... 3) Experience = perception
Ponder that equation. Put on a fresh set of eyes. When you come into contact with people... when people go to your church or small group.... what do they see, hear and experience?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Recommended Resource from Greg Laurie
What are you doing to take advantage of the open doors that are being presented to you, as friends, neighbors, loved ones, and coworkers are wondering what to do with Jesus?
You see, God's primary way of reaching people is through people. Yet studies have shown that 19 out of 20 Christians have never shared the gospel. You might be saying, "But Greg, I want to share the gospel—I just don't feel like I know enough."
From Jeff - This is a great resource for a $5 investment! Here is a link for those who are interested:
Booklet Link
You see, God's primary way of reaching people is through people. Yet studies have shown that 19 out of 20 Christians have never shared the gospel. You might be saying, "But Greg, I want to share the gospel—I just don't feel like I know enough."
From Jeff - This is a great resource for a $5 investment! Here is a link for those who are interested:
Booklet Link
Friday, March 16, 2012
Easter Outreach..... Do something Different!!
Outreach magazine recently asked readers to share some of their best Easter connection ideas. The result: 21 seasoned ideas that have been proven effective. As you read them and begin to brainstorm, be creative and consider how God wants your congregation to reach out to those who don't know him this Easter.
Here are 7 of those 21 ideas~
1. Community humility. We participate in a community-wide Easter service held at a local college stadium. Pastors from various denominations come together to plan, pray, share ideas, and divide the workload and costs. Because of the pastors' humility, the services have had great success in our community. – Trinity Assembly of God, Algood, Tenn.
2. Easter road show. Develop a team that can conduct Easter services – even a children's service and egg hunt – at locations around your community. Housing projects, senior citizens' developments, even trailer parks are good. You'll hit individuals and families who might never have the chance to visit your church and hear the Gospel. – Adapted from SonRise Christian Church, Goose Creek, S.C.
3. Lily gratitude. Instead of spending money on Easter lilies to decorate the church, purchase lilies as a donation to local businesses, hospitals, law enforcement, schools, etc. Attach a small tag from your church: "With appreciation during this Easter season." – Adapted from First Southern Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kan.
4. Resurrection run. We hold a resurrection run motorcycle rally and invite motorcycle enthusiasts from the community to join us. – FAITH Riders Motorcycle Ministries, Cookeville, Tenn.
5. Easter labyrinth. On Easter, we promote a labyrinth experience featuring stations of the cross. Even unbelievers are interested in a spiritual experience that helps them learn about the true significance of Easter. – Adapted from Harbor Trinity Church, Costa Mesa, Calif., and New Generations Church, Albany, Ga.
6. Easter signs. In cities where increasing restrictions are affecting public signage, creative churches are using silk-screened, corrugated plastic yard signs. Planted on the front lawns of church members, the signs invite neighbors to Easter services and events.
7. Love jars. Our ladies outreach group fills canning jars with brownie mix – layered and sealed with a lid covered with seasonal fabric. We make a personal visit to the home of each of our Easter visitors. It's a non-threatening, non-preachy visit that simply says, "We're glad you came ... hope to see you again." – Memorial Baptist Church, Verona, Wis.
Here are 7 of those 21 ideas~
1. Community humility. We participate in a community-wide Easter service held at a local college stadium. Pastors from various denominations come together to plan, pray, share ideas, and divide the workload and costs. Because of the pastors' humility, the services have had great success in our community. – Trinity Assembly of God, Algood, Tenn.
2. Easter road show. Develop a team that can conduct Easter services – even a children's service and egg hunt – at locations around your community. Housing projects, senior citizens' developments, even trailer parks are good. You'll hit individuals and families who might never have the chance to visit your church and hear the Gospel. – Adapted from SonRise Christian Church, Goose Creek, S.C.
3. Lily gratitude. Instead of spending money on Easter lilies to decorate the church, purchase lilies as a donation to local businesses, hospitals, law enforcement, schools, etc. Attach a small tag from your church: "With appreciation during this Easter season." – Adapted from First Southern Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kan.
4. Resurrection run. We hold a resurrection run motorcycle rally and invite motorcycle enthusiasts from the community to join us. – FAITH Riders Motorcycle Ministries, Cookeville, Tenn.
5. Easter labyrinth. On Easter, we promote a labyrinth experience featuring stations of the cross. Even unbelievers are interested in a spiritual experience that helps them learn about the true significance of Easter. – Adapted from Harbor Trinity Church, Costa Mesa, Calif., and New Generations Church, Albany, Ga.
6. Easter signs. In cities where increasing restrictions are affecting public signage, creative churches are using silk-screened, corrugated plastic yard signs. Planted on the front lawns of church members, the signs invite neighbors to Easter services and events.
7. Love jars. Our ladies outreach group fills canning jars with brownie mix – layered and sealed with a lid covered with seasonal fabric. We make a personal visit to the home of each of our Easter visitors. It's a non-threatening, non-preachy visit that simply says, "We're glad you came ... hope to see you again." – Memorial Baptist Church, Verona, Wis.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Essentials for authentic outreach....
Essential #1
Truly loving and caring for those outside the faith (the Great Commandment to love our neighbor as ourself). Either as an individual reaching out to the needs and concerns encountered in their everyday lives... or small groups (or a church) reaching out in special ways to meet 'felt needs' in the community. Building bridges of trust strong enough to carry the weight of the Gospel.
Don't do outreach for numbers.... Do it out of love for people. Do it because of the reality of a heaven and the reality of a place called hell. When you get that inside of you... your heart should melt. When your heart melts you will love people in a way you never could have imagined!
Essential #2
Always... commit your life and ways to the Lord in prayer!
Truly loving and caring for those outside the faith (the Great Commandment to love our neighbor as ourself). Either as an individual reaching out to the needs and concerns encountered in their everyday lives... or small groups (or a church) reaching out in special ways to meet 'felt needs' in the community. Building bridges of trust strong enough to carry the weight of the Gospel.
Don't do outreach for numbers.... Do it out of love for people. Do it because of the reality of a heaven and the reality of a place called hell. When you get that inside of you... your heart should melt. When your heart melts you will love people in a way you never could have imagined!
Essential #2
Always... commit your life and ways to the Lord in prayer!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
halloween outreach?
An outreach on Halloween? Isn't that wrong? Why? Everyday is a good day for the good news! Everyday is a good day to honor Jesus!
What other time of year are you going to find people are knocking on your door every few minutes...if not seconds? I say... that if we put on our thinking caps, we can hijack this "holiday" for the glory of God :)
Here are a couple things I'm thinking about:
1) Walk around the neighborhood as a family or break up into groups (Sunday School groups or small groups if your church has them) and tell neighbors: “Instead of taking candy from you, we want to give something to you.”
For families: you can explain that you are helping your children understand the joy of giving. This is a great way to get to know your neighbors!! Remember - no turn or burn evangelism.... just be friendly. Within the normal conversation, you find they dont have a church home.... invite them to your church!
2) Invite neighbors over before Halloween for a pumpkin-carving party. Instead of carving scary faces in the pumpkins, assign each pumpkin a letter to carve, spelling out a phrase that glorifies God, like “Jesus Saves.” If you dont have that many, how about a simple cross carved into a pumpkin? And don't forget to have lots of candy and treats for the kids!
3) How about a bunch of your church family do a "trunk or treat" in one of their yards? You will need to find someone with good traffic flow in order to make the best outreach possible!
Don't be afraid to decorate! You don't have to use ghosts, witches or monsters in the decorating, but you don't want to have Noah's Ark and other religious symbols on display just because this is an outreach. Basically.... we are to be fishers of men. A good fisherman knows what type of "bait" to use :)
What other time of year are you going to find people are knocking on your door every few minutes...if not seconds? I say... that if we put on our thinking caps, we can hijack this "holiday" for the glory of God :)
1) Walk around the neighborhood as a family or break up into groups (Sunday School groups or small groups if your church has them) and tell neighbors: “Instead of taking candy from you, we want to give something to you.”
For families: you can explain that you are helping your children understand the joy of giving. This is a great way to get to know your neighbors!! Remember - no turn or burn evangelism.... just be friendly. Within the normal conversation, you find they dont have a church home.... invite them to your church!
2) Invite neighbors over before Halloween for a pumpkin-carving party. Instead of carving scary faces in the pumpkins, assign each pumpkin a letter to carve, spelling out a phrase that glorifies God, like “Jesus Saves.” If you dont have that many, how about a simple cross carved into a pumpkin? And don't forget to have lots of candy and treats for the kids!
3) How about a bunch of your church family do a "trunk or treat" in one of their yards? You will need to find someone with good traffic flow in order to make the best outreach possible!
Don't be afraid to decorate! You don't have to use ghosts, witches or monsters in the decorating, but you don't want to have Noah's Ark and other religious symbols on display just because this is an outreach. Basically.... we are to be fishers of men. A good fisherman knows what type of "bait" to use :)
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