Towne Hall Meeting, Outreach, I

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 44
NT: Galatians 4
W&W: Psalm 105.23-36

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 45-46
NT: Galatians 5
W&W: Psalm 105.37-45

Today’s Reflection:

As I mentioned at the beginning of the week, the first question I addressed was wondering about “any plans for outreach ministries.” After I addressed the need for openness and vulnerability, I went on to address outreach.

First, I would say that I do have specific plans for outreach, and I will be able to partially answer them in coming Towne Hall Meetings. But at this point, I want to emphasize that I believe outreach should be a part of the lives of our church members, part of our daily routines.

We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are called to
· Know God in worship
· Show love in relationship
· Grow up in discipleship
· Go out in citizenship
· Sow seeds of partnership

Remember these 5 things: know, show, grow, go, and sew. The Go part of this formula is the part that specifically addresses outreach. There are at least three dimensions of outreach that are connected but distinct: Compassionate Outreach, Evangelistic Outreach, and Missionary Outreach. I will address them in turn.

First, let’s consider Compassionate Outreach, or community involvement. At times when we discuss outreach, we have the in mind the very specific component of deeds of mercy and compassion and service. Those are wonderful characteristics that things should define each of our lives. Don’t wait for the church to have an outreach program to reach out with the love of Jesus! If you see your brother sick, visit him! If you see your sister hungry, feed her! Lonely? Visit him. Oppressed? Stand with her. There are hundreds of ways for us to do that every day. And there are dozens of agencies (Christian and non-Christian) doing good works that need Christian volunteers! Go!

Get involved in our community. Be a good, service-oriented citizen of Bethel or Clermont County or Brown County… Volunteer at the school, with the pregnancy center, at the free store. There is an opportunity coming up that I want to mention. There is a Crop Hunger Walk on October 11 called “Crossing Bridges.” Get involved! I personally have spoken with Fay Wagner about being a reader at Bethel Primary, and I plan to speak to Happy Guy about mentoring in her classroom. I may not get to do either one, but I need o do something. I tell you that for two reasons: 1) Hold me accountable and 2) Follow me as I follow Christ!

Still, we must consider, “Is there something for which God wants Bethel Church of the Nazarene to be responsible?” We do our part in helping support some agencies financially and in volunteer hours. Plus, we do what we feel we can and should for people who come to us with needs for assistance. Also, for years we had a very effective outreach ministry called “The Community Class.” We no longer have that. Do we have anything to take its place? Are there other things we are currently doing? (After the meeting I was reminded that we have an excellent outreach ministry called MOPS – Mothers of Preschoolers – and we are planning to expand its evangelistic impact this year.)

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.23-24 (How sad that many of us – including me – know Romans 3.23, but we neglect the message of grace in verse 24!): 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.