RETHINK CHURCH Meeting

Posted February 8, 2010

G'morning Everyone,

I thought the meeting yesterday went extremely well.  As someone pointed out, if we'd just had another 30 minutes we probably could've gotten even further.

I believe the Holy Spirit revealed the source of our church's strength during the course of the meeting:  Meeting Needs.  We also discovered that the culprit for our congregation not meeting more needs is summed up as:  lack of awareness.  So, our first step toward being faithful to that call has been met by identifying it, accepting it, and moving forward to fulfill it.  The next step is to create a system/network for making needs known, which also began yesterday.  Following is a summary of some of the discussion from yesterday.  Let us pray for God's guidance.

Our's is a giving, loving congregation -- that is our strength.  There has not been a time in the past when a need was expressed that our church has not responded.  We discovered early on in the meeting that the only hindrance to not giving/helping more is that we don't have a process to make the needs known (e.g. school supplies/clothes, household supplies, a heater, microwave, sponsoring someone for the GED program, care package to Walter's son, rake a shut-in's yard, book buddy program, etc., etc.)  How simple!  Discussion:

1) Posting needs somewhere in the church (along with a contact person) -- sort of in the Angel Tree format.  They can also be shown on the overhead screen before church on Sundays, in the newsletter and bulletin.  If anyone is willing/able to help meet a specific need, they could make it happen.  Joy has volunteered to work on a process.

2) Designating a room as a "Free Store."  Members bring gently worn, good clothing (incl shoes, belts), small appliances, household goods and other items they are willing to donate.  The store would serve as a resource for meeting needs.  I would suggest that it be structured in an Us-to-Them manner.  In other words, our congregation uses the goods to be donated as needs arise, not as an open depot open for anyone to "come and shop," which creates a variety of logistical problems.  Just my thought, but we'll talk more.  Dolores has volunteered to work on this idea.

3)  The idea of posting all of our church's programs on the walls of the fellowship hall was very popular.  I will get posters and we can begin hanging them in the fellowship hall.  The idea is simple, if you are willing to participate in that program/ministry, simply write your name on that poster.

4)  Maintain a supply of umbrellas.  Members could have an extra umbrella (or two) always tucked away in their car.  From there, it's simple.  When it's raining, and you see someone walking in the rain without an umbrella (which happens OFTEN), pull over and give them an umbrella.

5)  Keith mentioned the idea of Family Night every other month (idea from a one of his customers' church).  The church opens wide its doors for food and fun -- fun jumps, games, fellowship.  At that church, over half of the people who show up aren't members of the church, but it's an incredible outlet for giving!

6)  Schedule RETHINK CHURCH Sunday -- a day that begins with a brief time of prayer, singing and devotional (approx. 30 min).  Then, members of the church dispatch out into the community for an hour or so of outreach activities, returning for lunch (prepared by volunteers) to share their experiences.  It was suggested that each group within the church decide what their outreach will be.  Those ideas could then be posted in advance to allow anyone interested in that particular activity to join that group for the day.

We will gather again on Sunday, February 28th at 9:30 (same format as yesterday).  Try to encourage one other person from the church, who was not there yesterday, to be there.  At this point, we are zeroed in on SUNDAY, APRIL 25th as our RETHINK CHURCH Sunday.

Thank ALL of you for participating!  Our strength comes in numbers -- supporting, discussing, praying and being faithful as a church family is super important!  Let's keep the discussion going!!

Have a GREAT week!

Dwight