Last evening we had what I pray will be the first of many "gatherings" for our church and the neighborhood around us. Do I think that it will all of a sudden get more people into our church? No. But it serves such a bigger purpose than that.
For one...we were able to feed the homeless around us pretty much all the hot dogs and hamburgers they wanted at that time. We offer aid and through Second Harvest have a brown Bag program for the seniors in our area...but don't have anything ongoing for the homeless...unless they manage to sneak into the church undetected and spend the night! But, it was a joy to see (from my vantage point from the bounce house)our congregation welcoming them, inviting them to sit at the tables, etc.
I also appreciated the time for us to just "be." A couple people commented there were a lot of people there they didn't know. It had to be the casual dress (shorts/t-shirts which CAN be worn to church...but most don't) because I recognized most of the people there...but the fact that in our small church of just under 200 there are those who don't at least recognize others made this a great event. I loved watching the people sitting at tables, sitting on the church steps, on the lawn, etc. talking and talking with those I don't see them speaking with on Sundays.
We had the BBQ because people see out church and yet really are not sure what we are. The office is around the corner and the church doors are only open on Sundays and even with the banner with out service time...people are not 100% positive if we are a church, museum or a funeral home!
Some people at our church cannot see the merit in this event. The great commission is for sure the " great suggestion" and that saddens me. I think it is a small minority...but enough to keep us a little stagnant and enough that there will be some real resistance as we continue the visioning process and begin to make changes.
For one...we were able to feed the homeless around us pretty much all the hot dogs and hamburgers they wanted at that time. We offer aid and through Second Harvest have a brown Bag program for the seniors in our area...but don't have anything ongoing for the homeless...unless they manage to sneak into the church undetected and spend the night! But, it was a joy to see (from my vantage point from the bounce house)our congregation welcoming them, inviting them to sit at the tables, etc.
I also appreciated the time for us to just "be." A couple people commented there were a lot of people there they didn't know. It had to be the casual dress (shorts/t-shirts which CAN be worn to church...but most don't) because I recognized most of the people there...but the fact that in our small church of just under 200 there are those who don't at least recognize others made this a great event. I loved watching the people sitting at tables, sitting on the church steps, on the lawn, etc. talking and talking with those I don't see them speaking with on Sundays.
We had the BBQ because people see out church and yet really are not sure what we are. The office is around the corner and the church doors are only open on Sundays and even with the banner with out service time...people are not 100% positive if we are a church, museum or a funeral home!
Some people at our church cannot see the merit in this event. The great commission is for sure the " great suggestion" and that saddens me. I think it is a small minority...but enough to keep us a little stagnant and enough that there will be some real resistance as we continue the visioning process and begin to make changes.
4 comments:
Congratulations on having such a successful BBQ!!
Can you tell me more about the brown bag thingy for the older folks? Our church is across the street from two differrent senior housing apartments and I would really love to have a way to reach out to them!
interesting :)
How AWESOME--Imagine that the neighbor gets to meet the church--wish i could have been there-more churches need to do that!
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