Outreach
An Outward Focus
God calls us, as his people, to be the light of the world. In a world that is often dark, we are to shine the light of God in a way that is visible to other people. Any ministry without an outward focus is dying.
What does an outward focus look like? It looks like opening our eyes to the world around us and allowing our hearts to break over what breaks the heart of God. It looks like wading into relationships and seeing the opportunities we have to serve others. It looks like experiencing the blessings of God’s Kingdom and inviting others to experience that as well.
Knowing the city… and its workers
Government workers know their city better than most pastors do. People move into community positions because they want to help their neighborhoods. There are often a lot of difficulties, but there are also opportunities for positive contribution. So if you are a...
Opportunity or obstacle?
Sometimes we take a look at a particular neighborhood or subculture and we think it’s really bad… and it may be. But how might God want to redeem or use that area? How can we take the energy we feel and use it constructively? God may very well be at work there. Let’s...
Not every good thing is a God thing
There are many, many good things we could do. So many, in fact, that it can actually cause a problem in one of two ways. One is that we could overcommit and not do anything well. The other is that sometimes when we are faced with too many options, we paradoxically...
Not your run-of-the-mill baby dedication
Today’s blog entry is by Ross Nelson, pastor of Northwoods Vineyard Church in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. About six years ago, my older son Nate worked in a family grocery business and oversaw the liquor department. In that capacity, he developed a friendship with another...
Learning from T4T
This week’s blog series is by Dave White, a missionary with OC International in The Philippines. He shares his experience using T4T. T4T (Training for Trainers) is a set of principles that weaves together evangelism, evangelism training, discipleship, and leadership...
In and through: how transformation connects to mission
I’ve been meditating on Colossians 1.28-29: “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard,...
Engaging those who won’t be engaged through traditional church
Randy Lovejoy, a pastor turned “missionary to the culture,” has had some adventures lately getting to know people he would never have encountered in his former role as pastor. He connected with a friend-of-a-friend who had hit a hard time in life and has been...
Outreach
Outreach An Outward Focus God calls us, as his people, to be the light of the world. In a world that is often dark, we are to shine the light of God in a way that is visible to other people. Any ministry without an outward focus is dying. What does an outward focus...