Reaching A Diverse World
The church where we worship is a fairly large congregation of people. No mega church by any means, but around 2000. Churches have personalities and for that reason they attract people that fit those personalities. For example bikers with tattoos all over there bodies would be welcome, but we would be uncomfortable and so would they. Not because of prejudice, but because of a lack of familiarity. That being the case, how could a church like Madison reach out to those that don’t fit their personality?
IMHO they have to specialize. Here is what I mean. They need to start satellite ministries off site. This may involve renting a store front or some type of suitable gathering place in a specific area where the surroundings will feel comfortable to those they are trying to reach. This could be done in multiple locations, led by Christians with a heart for a particular segment of society. These groups could start as a cell group, or a coffee house, a place for teens to hang out; any number of creative ways could be used. This could be followed up with special outings that serve as opportunities to blend these groups from time to time.
The church of the 21st. Century is going to have to be creative. To reach a diverse world, diversity is required. Same ole, same ole just won’t get it. We have been waiting for them to come to us for as long as I can remember, and they are not coming.
So, what do you think? How can we reach a diverse world of lost folks?
posted by Lee Hodges | 5/30/2006 03:53:00 PM
7 Comments:
Hello my friend! (I'm writing from Euless, TX - still on my road trip!) I've been going through withdrawals from not reading your blog! I just read the most recent post, so I'll have lots to catch up on when I get back home.
I love the way you think... and I think you're absolutely right! In fact, I've stumbled across several realities of this concept on this road trip.
At Highland in Abilene, there are several community ministries that began, as you said, with a person's heart for a neglected segment of the population.
Joe Almanza (who has been involved with prison minstry for years) spoke at Highland about Freedom Fellowship - a sort of storefront church spawned out of seeing the needs in part of the community. People from Highland walk the community and pray for people on a regular basis.
Another ministry started as a summer VBS program for some kids in an apt. complex in 1999. People still meet at Apt. 112 on Wed. nights for a children's Bible study.
Highland teams up with 4 other churches for "BOBS" - Breakfast on Beech St. Since 1996 they've provided a free hot breakfast for anyone in need (40-65 individuals every Friday). After breakfast ea. person is given a sack lunch to get them through that day.
And I think this one is especially innovative. They have a Children's Christmas store. It's a program that assists parents in providing Christmas for their children rather than being the recipients of a handout. Highland members and ministries develop a self-improvement program (in which adults earn points for participating in existing ministries that equip them to function better - with employment training, job retention and GED or college classes). At the end of the year, points are turned into dollars that can be spent at a temporary "Christmas Store."
There were several more at Highland... It really left me encouraged and humbled by people taking these kinds of initiatives in the name of Jesus Christ.
A final one I'll mention is a home church that a member at Farmer's Branch (in the DFW area) has started. The guy who is starting this home church is an overcomer - he has overcome same sex attraction through the power of Christ - and has a heart for the gay community. So he moved into a predominantly gay area and opened the doors of his heart and his home to people who would typically feel uncomfortable in a church setting & he provides an unconventional approach to Jesus for people seeking Him.
All I can say is WOW... When I see people being Jesus in these ways...I want a piece of that!
And it all started with love.
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Hello Angie. Great to hear from you! Been missing you around the blog world. Thanks for all the good news about outreach works. It is the way to get the job done.
Be safe and looking forward to your return.
Hello, Lee. I've seen your comments around, but this is the first time I've spent much time at your blog. Great stuff, brother! New attitudes are emerging all around us, aren't they?
This (Reaching A Diverse World) is an insightful piece. I'm thinking the first thing we must do, whether we are part of a church that is 2, 20, 200, 2000 or 20,000, if we are going to reach diverse people groups we've gotta' wanna'. A spiritual shepherd, years ago, brought me a bumper sticker that stated this emphatically. It read: YAGOTTAWANNA!
The basis for this desire, it seems to me, is rooted in gaining a more clear understanding of what Jesus meant when he spoke of the kingdom. Angie reports on some great works being done. Also, your buddy Patrick is doing an excellent job with showing us how to embrace Christ's kingdom vision and put it into action today.
Thanks for the great thoughts! Let us pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name. THY KINGDOM COME; THY WILL BE DONE...
Welcom BW,
Love that bumper sticker: YAGOTTAWANNA! So very true.
Kingdom living is without question the key. We have been such a "program oriented" people. Kingdom living is about rubbing shoulder and involvement in the lives of those we seek to reach for Him.
Thanks brother for stopping by (-:
Lee what ever your smoking I want some. 2000 members not a mega church!!! In comparison to other mega churches maybe. Seriously your correct we need to learn to think outside the box.
Keith,
Well "mega" maybe among our tribe, but guess I was thinking of Saddleback etc.
We have always found it hard to think outside "our" box, but some how we must.
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