Category Archives: Ministry
Faith in Action Sunday!
Every fifth Sunday Bridge Church, scatters instead of gathers, for what we call Faith in Action Sunday. This Sunday, May 29th will be our second FIA for 2011. Looking forward to worshipping through serving senior adults, elderly widows, single mothers, inmate families, families in ICU, public servants, multi-housing residents, families at local parks, and more this Sunday AM. As a Pastor, Faith in Action Sunday is a way to be intentional about disciple-making (Mark 3:14; James 1:21-23) and transforming the community (Matthew 5:13-16; John 1:14-16). Here’s a few other reasons why:
- Because following Jesus includes putting our faith in action (Luke 6:46-49)
- Because Christianity is about more than just attending worship services
- Because Jesus said “Go…” (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Because if we love God, we will love people “in actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18, 4:7-8)
- Because if we love God, we do what He says. (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 2:3-6)
- Because success is community transformation, not just a big organization.
- Because proclaiming and demonstrating God’s love go hand-in-hand. (Luke 9:2)
- Because there are needs in our community that are going unmet.
- Because God cares for the whole person. (James 2:15-18)
- Because God desires individuals to live in healthy communities and just societies. (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Because everyone can serve.
- Because people follow examples better than they follow instructions.
- Because God has a special heart for those who are poor and vulnerable. (Jeremiah 22:16)
- Because God’s people are to be an instrument of blessing to the world. (Genesis 12:2)
- Because disciples are shaped through serving, not just sitting.
- Because the church’s ministry should be incarnational. (John 1:14; 20:21)
- Because God empowers us to participate in ministry. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Because God created us for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Because it’s joining God in what He’s doing in the world.
- Because it’s fun.
While even a Faith In Action Sunday can become a meaningless ritual or an isolated event, our desire is that giving away will become a part of the flow of peoples lives as it’s part of the flow of Bridge Church.
Here’s a sample list of projects for this Sunday’s FIA:
- Handicap Bars in bathrooms of a residence for an elderly stroke victim.
- Cool Sealing a roof for the residence of two elderly stroke victims.
- Trimming Trees and cleaning up around an area Mobile Home Park.
- Visiting, praying with, & delivering gift cards to families in ICU waiting rooms.
- Delivering kids movies that we’ve collected for area Pediatric Units.
- Clean small yard and trim bushes for disabled, single mom in our city.
- Projects for Families w/Small Children – Deliver Baked Goods to Fire Depts and Police Depts and pass out snacks at area parks.
- Projects for those who want to/need to stay off their feet – Stuff baby bottles for Crisis Pregnancy Center fund raiser, Write notes of encouragement to community leaders.
- FAMILY DAY Block Party @ our local jail. This will be a time to connect with families of inmates and recognize the men who have completed our 26-week Addiction Recovery Program called Project 180.
Let me know if you know of other potential projects or ideas for making a difference in our community.
For other Faith In Action Ideas and resources check out http://putyourfaithinaction.org/.
Getting the Mission Right
Little story to help think through clarity on our target. Most churches hit their mark. Not always the one on the wall, but the one their values and rhythms communicate. Is it the right mission, the right target, the right mission?
In the great book On the Verge: A Journey Into the Apostolic Future of the Church by Alan Hirsch and Dave Ferguson, Hirsch tells the story about a drill bit company that had achieved great success, even worldwide success, revolutionizing the industry with the tungsten-tipped drill bit. Over time the competition caught up and the company’s market share began to erode. The board of directors decided to get a new CEO to recover the company’s success. The CEO called for a crisis-conference to clarify the mission of the company. After a few days together the employees came back to the CEO with the decision that their mission was to make the best drill bits in the world. They all agreed this was an excellent purpose for the company. At this point, the new CEO said, “No! Your job is not to make the best drill bits in the world; rather it is to make the best holes in the world!” The company went on to innovate laser drilling and become the best hole-making company in the world.
What is your drill bit? What should be the real goal of your church or organization? In Christianity, it seems we focus so much attention on having great churches, and not enough on making great disciples? Has church become the mission, hindering disciple making?
Winning With People
- Who we are determines how we see others.
- The first person we must examine is ourselves.
- Hurting people hurt people and are more easily hurt by people.
- Never use a hammer to swat a fly off someone’s head.
- We can lift people up or take people down in life.
- The entire population of the world – with one minor exception – is made up of other people.
- Instead of putting others in their place, we must put ourselves in their place.
- Each person we meet has the potential to teach us something.
- People are interested in the person who is interested in them.
- Believing the best in people usually brings the best out of people.
- Caring for people should precede confronting people.
- Trust is the foundation of any relationship.
- Never let the situation mean more than the relationship.
- When Bob has a problem with everyone, Bob is usually the problem
- Being at ease with ourselves helps others be at ease with us.
- When preparing for battle, dig a hole big enough for a friend.
- All relationships need cultivation.
- Find the 1% we agree on and give it 100% of our effort.
- The journey with others is slower than the journey alone.
- The true test of relationships is not only how loyal we are when friends fail, but how happy we are when they succeed.
- We go to a higher level when we treat others better than they treat us.
- When we help others, we help ourselves.
- All things being equal, people will work with people they like. All things not being equal, people will work with people they like.
- Working together increases the odds of winning together.
- In Great relationships, the joy of being together should be enough.
Measuring Change
@Habitatstw has built 80 homes in an area neighborhood and 911 calls are down 53% in that neighborhood since the
projectbegan. Great measurement of the transformation that Habitat can bring to an area. What metrics can we use to communicate the impact of our ministries? Will our current metrics (how many? how much? how often?) bring about such change in our communities? Reggie McNeal’s latest book Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church and Stetzer and Rainer’s Transformational Church: Creating a New Scorecard for Congregations have me thinking differently about success and change.
Part of the issue is Habitat had to build 80 homes with years of labor and sweat and blood to get to that point. We want change we can see quickly and don’t have to wait for. Focusing on change and not quick results will mean long term commitment. I’m in. For my church and for Habitat of West St. Tammany.
On Mission Opps/Open Doors/Community Needs:
Ready to get on mission on the Northshore? Here some great opps I’ve come across of late.
- Boys & Girls Club of Covington – The new director is Margie Poncey-Duboxe. She’s doing a great job, but could use volunteers to help with after school activities and mentoring kids. 801 North Tyler Street, Covington, LA 70433-1471, (985) 875-1153. Our church will be there on Tuesday, March 15th, volunteering and connecting.
- St. Tammany Parish Jail Program Wing – Chaplain Michael Oats and Deputy Marte’ Davis have done a great job putting together the first ever program wing at our local jail, which is home to 1,100+ inmates. Male volunteers are needed to teach Bible Studies, Life Skills classes, Tutor for GED & literacy needs, and mentor and encourage inmates who will be neighbors again in the near future. Contact me if you’d like to help with Celebrate Recovery at the Jail. You can also contact Chaplain Oats at 985.276.1040. Why Jail ministry?
- YMCA Summer Camp – The West St. Tammany YMCA is looking to hire some folks to work with kids in their Summer Camp program. Great opp to make a difference in the lives of kids and make a little money too. Call Tanya 985.893.9622.
- Life Coaches, Inc. – Interested in mentoring at-risk kids. Shane O’hara is on the front end and can provide training and oportunities. Looking forward to partnering with him personally in the future.
- Oak Villa Mobile Home Park – Our church has a ministry at West St. Tammany’s largest Mobile Home Park. We’ll be kicking off a new 9-week Parenting Seminar this Sunday. Volunteers are needed to provide activities for kids and provide other empowerment opportunities for the residents.
- ASIST Suicide Prevention Training – St. Tammany Suicide rate is very high. Too high. 243 Suicides, 1375 attempts since 2002. Be part of the solution. Several training options are available through STOPS – St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide. I’m signed up to go through the training later this month.
- Pediatrics Unit at Lakeview Regional Hospital is asking for used kids DVD’s to go along with the new TV’s and DVD players in their rooms. 985.867.3800.
Know of other opportunities in our area?
Recent Q and A:
“What are three hopes that you have for the future of your current ministry?” – I was recently asked this for the Q and A section of our state newspaper. Looking back through my answers frightened me and challenged me. What the heck are we thinking!?!?
1. Responsiveness to the needs of people – One of the filter questions we are using for decisions in our church is, “Will this allow us to stay close and be responsive to the needs of people in our community?” I’m hoping that our church can stay outward focused and unselfishly give ourselves away for years to come. I’ve been convicted as a church leader by this question about personal debt – “Do you think about living generously and then remember something you have or want?” Responsiveness and generosity must be a priority if it’s going to be a reality. Anything that keeps us from responsiveness and radical generosity must be eyed with great caution.
2. Reproducible. I hope that more disciples, leaders, ministries, and churches will result. Insisting on reproducibility forces us to keep things ultra simple and stretches our faith. We’re already planning for new expressions of Bridge Church in 2011, in surrounding communities. I’ve been wrecked by Ralph Moore’s question in How to Multiply Your Church – What’s better, a church of 400 taking on overhead, or 5 churches of 80 that can be responsive to the community and quickly reproduce itself?
3. Transformation. A question that I’m constantly asking myself as a leader: “What good is it if our church grows, but the community continues to deteriorate?” Disciples transform the world by responding to the needs and shaping the culture around them. I hope that we won’t settle for anything less than transformed lives and community. One of the things I’m most excited about is multiple dysfunctional family systems that we’re engaged in restoring around our community. Families that for generations have battled addiction, abuse, disease, etc. It’s hard, messy, discouraging at times, but when transformation is your goal, seeing someone sitting in the pew every Sunday isn’t enough. We insist on seeing God glorified in the daily and seeing a new road paved for future generations.
What are your most challenging hopes and dreams?
Put Your Faith in Action. Why?
Every fifth Sunday Bridge Church, scatters instead of gathers, for what we call Faith in Action Sunday. This Sunday, Jan 30th will be our first FIA for 2011. Looking forward to worshipping through serving senior adults, elderly widows, single mothers, inmate families, families in ICU, public servants, multi-housing residents, families at local parks, and more this Sunday AM. When telling people in todays generation about our Faith In Action Sunday’s, one question we seldom get is “WHY?” It just makes sense to most people that the church ought to be out serving. But just for fun, here’s a few reasons:
- Because following Jesus includes putting our faith in action (Luke 6:46-49)
- Because Christianity is about more than just attending worship services
- Because Jesus said “Go…” (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Because if we love God, we will love people “in actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18, 4:7-8)
- Because if we love God, we do what He says. (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 2:3-6)
- Because success is community transformation, not just a big organization.
- Because proclaiming and demonstrating God’s love go hand-in-hand. (Luke 9:2)
- Because there are needs in our community that are going unmet.
- Because God cares for the whole person. (James 2:15-18)
- Because God desires individuals to live in healthy communities and just societies. (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Because everyone can serve.
- Because people follow examples better than they follow instructions.
- Because God has a special heart for those who are poor and vulnerable. (Jeremiah 22:16)
- Because God’s people are to be an instrument of blessing to the world. (Genesis 12:2)
- Because disciples are shaped through serving, not just sitting.
- Because the church’s ministry should be incarnational. (John 1:14; 20:21)
- Because God empowers us to participate in ministry. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Because God created us for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Because it’s joining God in what He’s doing in the world.
- Because it’s fun.
While even a Faith In Action Sunday can become a meaningless ritual or a isolated event, our desire is that giving away will become a part of the flow of peoples lives as it’s part of the flow of Bridge Church.
“I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else, to do what God has called me to do myself”
Love Josh Wilson’s new song I Refuse. Can’t get it out of my head as my church preps for a Faith In Action Weekend this weekend. Check out the lyrics below. Follow Josh Wilson on his Blog, Facebook, Twitter. Original Video of the song here.
I Refuse
Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not
This world needs God, but it’s easier to stand and watch
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong
But I Refuse
I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse
I can hear the least of these, crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet of You, oh God
So if You say move, it’s time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
And show them who You are
I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse
I refuse to stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well
I refuse to stay unchanged, to wait another day to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse
I don’t want to live like I don’t care
I don’t want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
I could choose not to move
But I refuse
“I was in prison and you came to me” Matt 25:36
Chaplain Michael Oats at the St. Tammany Parish Jail is in need of volunteers for the new Program wing at the
jail. This includes a Faith-Based Dorm, a GED Dorm, A Literacy Dorm, and a Life Skills/Pre-Release Dorm. Volunteers are needed to teach Bible Studies, Celebrate Recovery, tutor for GED and literacy training, and teach money management, marriage/parenting, job interview skills, etc. If you or your church would like to help let me know at lanecorley@gmail.com, or contact Chaplain Oats @ 985.276.1040. There will be a Volunteer Orientation meeting this Thursday, January 6th, 6pm @ the St. Tammany Parish Jail, 1200 Champagne St., Covington, LA 70433.
Most of the inmates at our local jail will be neighbors again soon and many of them have families on the outside who are at risk. It’s easy to criticize the Sheriff and talk bad about the criminal. How about being part of the solution for our justice system and for an individual whom God loves that happens to be in jail? Join me Thursday at the jail and be part of the solution.
Kingdom Minded?
Christian leaders use this language often. What does it actually mean? Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson have a great discussion about the Kingdom in their book Externally Focused Quest. Here’s some highlights that may challenge your thinking:
How important is the kingdom? The word kingdom is mentioned 152 times in the New Testament and 116 times in the Gospels. By contrast, the word church is mentioned just three times in the Gospels – all in the book of Matthew. The first public words of John the Baptist and Jesus were to announce the kingdom (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). The first prayer request that Jesus taught his disciples was “Thy Kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10). The first priority for the believer was to seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
What is the kingdom? The kingdom of God is any place over which God has operative dominion. The kingdom is where the King is reigning. So if Jesus is reigning as king in your own life, “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
From Howard Snyder’s book Liberating the Church: “Kingdom people seek first the Kingdom of God and its justice; church people often put church work above concerns of justice, mercy, and truth. Church people think about how to get people into church; kingdom people think about how to get the church into the world. Church people worry that the world might change the church; kingdom people work to see the church change the world”
The church does not exist for itself. The church exists to proclaim and demonstrate that the kingdom is near.
What’s the difference between church thinking and kingdom thinking?
- CHURCH: local, internal, evangelism the goal, programmed, gospel explained, Sunday, growing MY church.
- KINGDOM: global, external, evangelism the starting point, organic, gospel lived out, Every day, growing THE church.
God’s kingdom work is accomplished by believers and unbelievers. See the stories of Artaxerxes, Cyrus, & Nebuchadnezzar (Isaiah 10:12-19, 45:1-6). However, kingdom work does not in any way merit our entrance into God’s kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23).
Thoughts? Check out the books Externally Focused Church and Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church For the Community.
Lane Corley 