Churches Serving Sugar Hill
Table of Contents Introduction……………………………………………………............ pg. 2 The Gospel via Helping Hands……………………………………. pg. 3 Project Analysis…………………………………………………………….pg. 4 Churches Serving Sugar Hill – Vision for Ministry…….. pg. 5 Opportunities to Serve……………………………………………….. pg. 8 About Unite!........................................................ pg. 9
This document was created by the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Congregation of Perimeter Church More info at www.perimeter.org/nc (click on Sugar Hill)
Introduction This effort to unite families and churches to serve Sugar Hill began as a grassroots idea from several families who began to explore the idea of how our families, as followers of Jesus Christ, can join together to serve the needs of people in our neighborhood and our Sugar Hill community at large. These families each belong to various area churches, but have a common passion for sharing the love of Christ in the way that we live our lives, not only through our words, but also in our deeds. Jesus’ summary of the Ten Commandments is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27. It is our hope that many, many families and churches throughout Sugar Hill will join together and commit ourselves to expressing unconditional love to each other, to our neighbors and community. One of the greatest gifts that followers of Jesus Christ can give to each other, our neighbors and community is the gift of friendship. Friendship is a “felt” need among our culture. Our current state of culture can be defined by the term “crowded loneliness.” We are busy people with an overload of surface level relationships, and an incredible lack of deeply connected friendships. As followers of Jesus Christ step out and take the lead to serve and love people on our street, in our neighborhood, workplace, and community, one of the greatest fruits and gifts to ourselves and others will be meaningful, connected friendships. When we are able to meet “felt” needs, trusting friendships begin to form, and opportunities develop in which we are able to serve and meet deeper “emotional” and “spiritual” needs. The Kingdom of God is built on relationships, therefore, our call as followers of Jesus Christ is to serve, love, and build friendships with others in need of experiencing the love of God, through us.
For more information: Drue & Laura Warner [email protected] 404-906-9117
2
The Gospel via Helping Hands Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional by John Fischer It keeps coming up. Every time I’m around someone who is uniquely prophetic in their gifts, or every time I read a forward-thinking book or article I find someone saying that the future of evangelism in the world is going to ride on the wings of service. The gospel is going to go forth via helping hands. It’s as we reach out to meet the needs of people that we will find opportunity to tell the simple story of Jesus and His love. The Jesus movement of thirty-five years ago was all about Jesus and saving people’s souls. It was about filling up the emptiness inside left by drugs, sexual experimentation, failed social utopia, and a great sense of disillusionment and helplessness. In the years since, Christians have become preoccupied with politics and power – as if we could usher in the Kingdom of God through the halls of Washington or hold back the forces of evil at the polls. All this came with lots of talk and attention in the media – attention that has come at a price in regards to the reputation of Christians, and by way of association, the gospel. This is why I believe prophetic voices are urging Christians to stop talking and start serving humanity. Rick Warren has already mapped out a five year P.E.A.C.E. plan for the global church over the next twenty years. Is it any wonder that its backbone is service involving among other things, eradicating poverty and illiteracy, healing the sick, and halting the development of preventable diseases? All of these are within our human powers to perform by merely marshalling the worldwide church to answer the call. We can do the work; God can fill our hearts and our hands with His love. Helping hands bring the love of Jesus in concrete ways. People are tired of talk. They distrust words. But unsolicited acts of kindness and love cannot be explained away or denied. What this means for us in our daily lives is that we need to be looking for the same opportunities to serve in our local neighborhoods and communities. We do not need a worldwide network to reach out to those around us. We just need to be awake and looking for a chance to meet a need. That’s the spontaneous part. For others it may mean taking up a position on a committee or a service organization – something that will put us in the daily line of service. God will show you; just be awake. It’s the new wave: the gospel via helping hands. It’s more than service; it’s the love of Jesus lived out in real ways. It’s what the world needs now. Subscribe to The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional at www.purposedrivenlife.com.
3
Project Analysis Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional by John Fischer I have been an evangelical Christian for a long time. I have been taught in evangelical institutions. We are not called “evangelicals” for nothing. That word means evangelism is a priority for us. We are always hearing how important it is to witness to those who don’t know Christ. And witnessing is OK, but actually leading someone to the Lord is the pinnacle of spiritual attainment. Good evangelicals are result-oriented. It’s hard when you are schooled in this kind of thinking to not end up seeing non-Christians as projects. Their worth to you lies in the fact that they could be possible jewels in your crown. The more people you save, the more important you are to God, and the more confident you can be of your own salvation. Yes, I’m being pretty ruthless here, but I know all these thoughts and feelings all too well, and I am guessing I am not the only one. Our evangelical mission in the world is very important. It is why we are here – why we aren’t all raptured as soon as we are saved. But I am learning that unless my name is Billy Graham, my role in evangelizing the world is more related to my lifestyle in the world – befriending and loving those around me who may not know Christ, and letting my witness be the natural outgrowth of what Christ means to me. I’m not a salesman. I’m not a missionary, spending two years of my life knocking on doors. I am a neighbor. A co-worker. A fellow student. A soccer dad. Ultimately, I am a friend, and my friendship is not measured by whether or not someone becomes a Christian, but on how loved and accepted they are by me. I don’t go next door to witness. I go next door to borrow the lawn mower, which may lead to loaning something of mine in return, which may lead to finding something in common, which may lead to doing things together, which may lead to a friendship, which will undoubtedly end up in my being a witness, but that’s not the point. I’m not done when I witness. I’m called by Jesus to love my neighbor, and I’m never done doing that. People know it when they are seen as a project. People know it when you really don’t like being around them, you are just putting up with them so you can fulfill your witnessing obligation. I am learning to love people, to value who they are, regardless of their standing with God. And I’m pretty sure that’s how God feels about them, too. “He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9) Let’s focus today on loving and serving someone who doesn’t know Christ. Who knows, we might even be a witness in the process. John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker. To subscribe to The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional, go to www.purposedrivenlife.com.
4
Vision for Ministry Serving where we live, work, and play. Ministry Through Relationships
Vision
Our current working vision for ministry is to bring the people of Sugar Hill and surrounding
communities into a life transforming encounter with the Kingdom of God.
Kingdom of God
If the Kingdom of God is our “product,” that we want people to encounter, we must know what it is. The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Christ (breadth and depth) in the hearts and lives of His people, with submission and obedience to His authority. To be concise, the Kingdom of God is the reign and glory of Christ. In Luke 17, the disciples ask Jesus, “Where is the Kingdom of God?” Jesus answers by telling them that the Kingdom of God is “within you.” Therefore, when we meet and extend friendship to our neighbors, others in need, or people that we meet each day, they are encountering the Kingdom of God. The defining characteristics of the Kingdom of God are of stark contrast to the culture, and are refreshing and noticeable when present. Characteristics of the Kingdom of God include: unconditional love, unconditional respect, joy (even in the midst of suffering), peace that surpasses all understanding, justice, grace, mercy, holiness, humility, integrity, unselfishness, kindness, gentleness, patience, committed and loving relationships between husbands & wives, and parents & children. If our goal is to help bring others into a “life transforming” encounter with the Kingdom of God, we must eventually offer to them the hope of Christ and an opportunity for them to come into relationship with Him, as He is offered to us in the Scriptures.
Transformation Pyramid
A vision for transformation begins with self, and flows into family, neighborhood, churches, community, city, state, country, and world.
Life on Life Relationships
The Kingdom of God, at its essence, is about relationship. Effective, long term, long lasting transformation happens in life on life relationships. Therefore, we must ask the question, “How is it possible to develop relationships with people that will allow me to live all areas of life in community together?” In order for us to live in “life on life” relationships, perhaps the most effective investments of our time are with the people that we’re geographically closest to (our neighbors) or spend the most time with (workplace or recreation).
5
Instead of thinking of ways to “evangelize” our neighbors or co-workers, let’s think of ways to build relationships, to develop friendships, to serve, and most importantly, to love our neighbors. As we invest ourselves in others, pray for and serve them, we will look for opportunities to share our faith and pray that God will open the doors to do so. Usually the best opportunities to share our faith are when we are asked to do so, or when we can relate our faith to current events. Evangelism must not be viewed as our ulterior motive (which is accompanied by conditional love), but must be our ultimate motive (which is accompanied by unconditional love).
Who Is My Neighbor?
As we seek out ways to “love our neighbor,” we must answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” We can identify our neighbors in two categories of people: 1) those who live geographically closest to us 2) those who are in greatest need around us (Luke 10:25-37). Therefore, as we seek to “love our neighbors,” we must include a balance of loving people that live near us, and people in need around us.
Serving
One of the most effective ways to build relationships (with Believers and non-Believers) is to serve together. As we all serve alongside each other, there often comes an opportunity to answer the question, “Why are you doing this?” We can then respond by giving the reason for our hope! The goal of “serving” is to build relationships by meeting needs. Oftentimes, there are very real needs in the community that don’t offer any opportunity at all to build relationships. However, serving community needs (even un-relational needs) can actually be a great tool to use in building relationships with our neighbors. When we invite our neighbors to join us in meeting needs in the community (i.e. food pantry), the relationships available to develop are with the neighbors with whom we serve.
Influence
Influence is critical in leading people to Christ. However, we must not set out with a motive to influence people, but instead to love and build friendships with people. If our motive is influence (and not love), we will come across like an unwanted salesperson. As we truly give ourselves to caring about, listening to, having fun with, and loving other people, influence will be a fruit of the relationship. As influence is established through friendship, more and better opportunities will be available for us to engage others in conversations about spiritual things, invite others to church events, and to share the gospel.
Strategic Points of Influence
Strategic points of influence for the purpose of community transformation are: neighborhoods, public schools, workplace, and people in need.
Geography
All believers must take ownership of their own geographic points of influence (neighborhood, local schools, and workplace). We must consider re-structuring life such that we have more overlap in our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and people in need. This may mean that we forfeit (or greatly lessen) relationships that are currently very meaningful to us, for the greater purpose of developing new relationships that are strategic in the purposes of community transformation.
6
Time
Transformation takes time. In order to develop relationships and trust among our Christian and nonChristian neighbors, we need to “be there.” Therefore, as much as we can do to transition our schedules towards our homes, the better. Relationships happen at the mailbox, getting the newspaper, impromptu dinner invitations, and at the neighborhood swimming pool. If we’re not there, we won’t develop relationships.
Creativity
Two of the greatest “felt needs” among people where we live, work, and play, are 1) a desire for relationships and 2) a sense of community. Christians can make a huge difference where we live, work, and play by investing ourselves in an effort to meet and build friendships with our neighbors, and help them to do the same with each other. Relationships are among the greatest gifts we can give to people. When we do this, we build trust, and doors often burst wide open for the gospel to come through us to those around us. By stepping out and doing some things to create social, serving, and caring opportunities, we can meet real needs that all neighbors have. By meeting needs, we’ll meet neighbors. By meeting neighbors, we’ll develop friendships. By developing friendships, we’ll develop trust. By developing trust, we’ll gain a platform to share the gospel. By sharing the gospel, people will come to Christ. When people come to Christ, God’s Kingdom is expanded and community is transformed.
Creative ideas for initiating relationships in one’s neighborhood are:
Neighborhood Food Drive Help organize social gatherings for the neighborhood Get involved in your Home Owner’s Association Visit and/or deliver a meal to new neighbors or neighbors with new babies. Invite closest neighbors for breakfast or dinner Organize a service project for the local public school and invite neighbors to participate. Invite neighbors to go Christmas Caroling to others in your neighborhood.
Creative ideas for serving in our local public schools:
Simple work projects (open the door to relationship and begin to establish trust) Gift baskets for teachers (who usually spend an average of $500 of their own money for school supplies per year) Teacher’s Car Wash (door opener, builds trust) Serve as a teacher’s assistant (longer term, high relational impact) Volunteer as an after school tutor (which usually costs parents approximately $35 per hour) Lunchtime Mentoring (longer term, high relational impact) “Donuts with Dads” could springboard into additional relationship opportunities.
Scripture References
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2
7
Opportunities to Serve Serving our Public Schools Mentor an Elementary Student – 30 minutes per week Our local elementary schools have wonderful mentoring programs that helps to connect adults with children in need of a positive adult role model. It’s amazing how one person can encourage and positively impact a child’s self esteem. All that’s required is 30 minutes per week, anytime during school hours. Mentors can even come on a lunch break and have lunch with their student! For more information, contact Drue Warner at [email protected] or 404-906-9117. Help a Kindergartner Learn to Read – 30 minutes per week Sugar Hill elementary has lots of opportunities for adults to come read with a child or help a child practice their reading by simply listening. This is an easy way to be a positive influence in a child’s life. For more information, contact Drue Warner at [email protected] or 404-906-9117.
N. Gwinnett Cooperative - Food Donations & Volunteer Opportunities The North Gwinnett Cooperative (www.northgwinnettcoop.org) accepts food and clothing donations which are distributed to families in need within our community. Hours of operation are Monday (6pm – 8pm), Wednesday and Friday (10am – 12pm). Volunteer opportunities include: sorting donations, cleaning the co-op, working in the thrift store, picking up food donations, event planning, and web site maintenance. For more information or to volunteer, contact Maureen Kornowa at 770-271-9793 or [email protected].
Gwinnett Children's Shelter - Buford Serving children as young as 5 years old, the Gwinnett Children's Shelter responds to the problem of child abuse and neglect. With a variety of serving opportunities, you can use your gifts/skills/talents to their full potential. Some of the needs include: Meals on Weekends, Community Liaison, Tutoring, Mentors, Hot Line worker, Activity Assistant, Safe Place Program & Site Preservation Worker and MORE!! For more information, contact Debra Potter at [email protected] or 678-405-2290.
Gwinnett Youth Detention Center - Join us every Saturday from 8:45am - 10:15am This is a thriving ministry to at-risk youth. You’ll have an opportunity to fellowship, encourage and share your faith with at-risk youth searching for hope. We meet on Saturday Mornings from 8:45am to 10:15am. Additional opportunities are forming for Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. For more information, contact Debra Potter at [email protected] or 678-405-2290.
8
www.uniteus.org Unite! is a movement of churches throughout north Atlanta who are joining together to serve the community with the hope and vision for community transformation. Unite! was launched in 2003 when a few churches said, “ We are each doing some good things in the community, but what if we were to do it together?” A simple question with profound implications. Unfortunately, the Body of Christ is often more divided than united and fights for control instead of giving ourselves away to others. In October 2003 Unite! was launched with about 30 churches and 4,500 people who blessed and served the community in a variety of ways that showed NE Atlanta that churches cared about the needs of the community and could work together. Unite! is unique in that it is not a para church organization with a staff who is trying to get churches to work together in a city. It is a network of churches who are connecting with each other to be more effective in ministry and be part of God transforming the community. Overall, Unite! is now made up of close to 100 churches in NE Atlanta. The mission statement is “To
unite churches to pray, serve, and celebrate together so that our community sees our good works, experiences transformation, and glorifies our Father who is in heaven” ( Matthew 5:16).
While most of the churches are in the NE region of Atlanta, Unite! in the NW region of Atlanta is launching in the fall of 2006 with churches taking ownership in this region. Unite! has a statement of faith which is the Lausanne Covenant – a covenant with a strong emphasis on the gospel and biblical truth. This is not a movement that just focuses on “deed”. Because of our salvation, we seek to serve people of our communities with the love of Christ. Jesus’ ministry is accomplished through word and deed - the whole gospel. More information can be found at www.uniteus.org.
9
This document was created by the Sugar Hill Neighborhood Congregation of Perimeter Church More info at www.perimeter.org/nc (click on Sugar Hill)
Introduction This effort to unite families and churches to serve Sugar Hill began as a grassroots idea from several families who began to explore the idea of how our families, as followers of Jesus Christ, can join together to serve the needs of people in our neighborhood and our Sugar Hill community at large. These families each belong to various area churches, but have a common passion for sharing the love of Christ in the way that we live our lives, not only through our words, but also in our deeds. Jesus’ summary of the Ten Commandments is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27. It is our hope that many, many families and churches throughout Sugar Hill will join together and commit ourselves to expressing unconditional love to each other, to our neighbors and community. One of the greatest gifts that followers of Jesus Christ can give to each other, our neighbors and community is the gift of friendship. Friendship is a “felt” need among our culture. Our current state of culture can be defined by the term “crowded loneliness.” We are busy people with an overload of surface level relationships, and an incredible lack of deeply connected friendships. As followers of Jesus Christ step out and take the lead to serve and love people on our street, in our neighborhood, workplace, and community, one of the greatest fruits and gifts to ourselves and others will be meaningful, connected friendships. When we are able to meet “felt” needs, trusting friendships begin to form, and opportunities develop in which we are able to serve and meet deeper “emotional” and “spiritual” needs. The Kingdom of God is built on relationships, therefore, our call as followers of Jesus Christ is to serve, love, and build friendships with others in need of experiencing the love of God, through us.
For more information: Drue & Laura Warner [email protected] 404-906-9117
2
The Gospel via Helping Hands Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional by John Fischer It keeps coming up. Every time I’m around someone who is uniquely prophetic in their gifts, or every time I read a forward-thinking book or article I find someone saying that the future of evangelism in the world is going to ride on the wings of service. The gospel is going to go forth via helping hands. It’s as we reach out to meet the needs of people that we will find opportunity to tell the simple story of Jesus and His love. The Jesus movement of thirty-five years ago was all about Jesus and saving people’s souls. It was about filling up the emptiness inside left by drugs, sexual experimentation, failed social utopia, and a great sense of disillusionment and helplessness. In the years since, Christians have become preoccupied with politics and power – as if we could usher in the Kingdom of God through the halls of Washington or hold back the forces of evil at the polls. All this came with lots of talk and attention in the media – attention that has come at a price in regards to the reputation of Christians, and by way of association, the gospel. This is why I believe prophetic voices are urging Christians to stop talking and start serving humanity. Rick Warren has already mapped out a five year P.E.A.C.E. plan for the global church over the next twenty years. Is it any wonder that its backbone is service involving among other things, eradicating poverty and illiteracy, healing the sick, and halting the development of preventable diseases? All of these are within our human powers to perform by merely marshalling the worldwide church to answer the call. We can do the work; God can fill our hearts and our hands with His love. Helping hands bring the love of Jesus in concrete ways. People are tired of talk. They distrust words. But unsolicited acts of kindness and love cannot be explained away or denied. What this means for us in our daily lives is that we need to be looking for the same opportunities to serve in our local neighborhoods and communities. We do not need a worldwide network to reach out to those around us. We just need to be awake and looking for a chance to meet a need. That’s the spontaneous part. For others it may mean taking up a position on a committee or a service organization – something that will put us in the daily line of service. God will show you; just be awake. It’s the new wave: the gospel via helping hands. It’s more than service; it’s the love of Jesus lived out in real ways. It’s what the world needs now. Subscribe to The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional at www.purposedrivenlife.com.
3
Project Analysis Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional by John Fischer I have been an evangelical Christian for a long time. I have been taught in evangelical institutions. We are not called “evangelicals” for nothing. That word means evangelism is a priority for us. We are always hearing how important it is to witness to those who don’t know Christ. And witnessing is OK, but actually leading someone to the Lord is the pinnacle of spiritual attainment. Good evangelicals are result-oriented. It’s hard when you are schooled in this kind of thinking to not end up seeing non-Christians as projects. Their worth to you lies in the fact that they could be possible jewels in your crown. The more people you save, the more important you are to God, and the more confident you can be of your own salvation. Yes, I’m being pretty ruthless here, but I know all these thoughts and feelings all too well, and I am guessing I am not the only one. Our evangelical mission in the world is very important. It is why we are here – why we aren’t all raptured as soon as we are saved. But I am learning that unless my name is Billy Graham, my role in evangelizing the world is more related to my lifestyle in the world – befriending and loving those around me who may not know Christ, and letting my witness be the natural outgrowth of what Christ means to me. I’m not a salesman. I’m not a missionary, spending two years of my life knocking on doors. I am a neighbor. A co-worker. A fellow student. A soccer dad. Ultimately, I am a friend, and my friendship is not measured by whether or not someone becomes a Christian, but on how loved and accepted they are by me. I don’t go next door to witness. I go next door to borrow the lawn mower, which may lead to loaning something of mine in return, which may lead to finding something in common, which may lead to doing things together, which may lead to a friendship, which will undoubtedly end up in my being a witness, but that’s not the point. I’m not done when I witness. I’m called by Jesus to love my neighbor, and I’m never done doing that. People know it when they are seen as a project. People know it when you really don’t like being around them, you are just putting up with them so you can fulfill your witnessing obligation. I am learning to love people, to value who they are, regardless of their standing with God. And I’m pretty sure that’s how God feels about them, too. “He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9) Let’s focus today on loving and serving someone who doesn’t know Christ. Who knows, we might even be a witness in the process. John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker. To subscribe to The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional, go to www.purposedrivenlife.com.
4
Vision for Ministry Serving where we live, work, and play. Ministry Through Relationships
Vision
Our current working vision for ministry is to bring the people of Sugar Hill and surrounding
communities into a life transforming encounter with the Kingdom of God.
Kingdom of God
If the Kingdom of God is our “product,” that we want people to encounter, we must know what it is. The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Christ (breadth and depth) in the hearts and lives of His people, with submission and obedience to His authority. To be concise, the Kingdom of God is the reign and glory of Christ. In Luke 17, the disciples ask Jesus, “Where is the Kingdom of God?” Jesus answers by telling them that the Kingdom of God is “within you.” Therefore, when we meet and extend friendship to our neighbors, others in need, or people that we meet each day, they are encountering the Kingdom of God. The defining characteristics of the Kingdom of God are of stark contrast to the culture, and are refreshing and noticeable when present. Characteristics of the Kingdom of God include: unconditional love, unconditional respect, joy (even in the midst of suffering), peace that surpasses all understanding, justice, grace, mercy, holiness, humility, integrity, unselfishness, kindness, gentleness, patience, committed and loving relationships between husbands & wives, and parents & children. If our goal is to help bring others into a “life transforming” encounter with the Kingdom of God, we must eventually offer to them the hope of Christ and an opportunity for them to come into relationship with Him, as He is offered to us in the Scriptures.
Transformation Pyramid
A vision for transformation begins with self, and flows into family, neighborhood, churches, community, city, state, country, and world.
Life on Life Relationships
The Kingdom of God, at its essence, is about relationship. Effective, long term, long lasting transformation happens in life on life relationships. Therefore, we must ask the question, “How is it possible to develop relationships with people that will allow me to live all areas of life in community together?” In order for us to live in “life on life” relationships, perhaps the most effective investments of our time are with the people that we’re geographically closest to (our neighbors) or spend the most time with (workplace or recreation).
5
Instead of thinking of ways to “evangelize” our neighbors or co-workers, let’s think of ways to build relationships, to develop friendships, to serve, and most importantly, to love our neighbors. As we invest ourselves in others, pray for and serve them, we will look for opportunities to share our faith and pray that God will open the doors to do so. Usually the best opportunities to share our faith are when we are asked to do so, or when we can relate our faith to current events. Evangelism must not be viewed as our ulterior motive (which is accompanied by conditional love), but must be our ultimate motive (which is accompanied by unconditional love).
Who Is My Neighbor?
As we seek out ways to “love our neighbor,” we must answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” We can identify our neighbors in two categories of people: 1) those who live geographically closest to us 2) those who are in greatest need around us (Luke 10:25-37). Therefore, as we seek to “love our neighbors,” we must include a balance of loving people that live near us, and people in need around us.
Serving
One of the most effective ways to build relationships (with Believers and non-Believers) is to serve together. As we all serve alongside each other, there often comes an opportunity to answer the question, “Why are you doing this?” We can then respond by giving the reason for our hope! The goal of “serving” is to build relationships by meeting needs. Oftentimes, there are very real needs in the community that don’t offer any opportunity at all to build relationships. However, serving community needs (even un-relational needs) can actually be a great tool to use in building relationships with our neighbors. When we invite our neighbors to join us in meeting needs in the community (i.e. food pantry), the relationships available to develop are with the neighbors with whom we serve.
Influence
Influence is critical in leading people to Christ. However, we must not set out with a motive to influence people, but instead to love and build friendships with people. If our motive is influence (and not love), we will come across like an unwanted salesperson. As we truly give ourselves to caring about, listening to, having fun with, and loving other people, influence will be a fruit of the relationship. As influence is established through friendship, more and better opportunities will be available for us to engage others in conversations about spiritual things, invite others to church events, and to share the gospel.
Strategic Points of Influence
Strategic points of influence for the purpose of community transformation are: neighborhoods, public schools, workplace, and people in need.
Geography
All believers must take ownership of their own geographic points of influence (neighborhood, local schools, and workplace). We must consider re-structuring life such that we have more overlap in our relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and people in need. This may mean that we forfeit (or greatly lessen) relationships that are currently very meaningful to us, for the greater purpose of developing new relationships that are strategic in the purposes of community transformation.
6
Time
Transformation takes time. In order to develop relationships and trust among our Christian and nonChristian neighbors, we need to “be there.” Therefore, as much as we can do to transition our schedules towards our homes, the better. Relationships happen at the mailbox, getting the newspaper, impromptu dinner invitations, and at the neighborhood swimming pool. If we’re not there, we won’t develop relationships.
Creativity
Two of the greatest “felt needs” among people where we live, work, and play, are 1) a desire for relationships and 2) a sense of community. Christians can make a huge difference where we live, work, and play by investing ourselves in an effort to meet and build friendships with our neighbors, and help them to do the same with each other. Relationships are among the greatest gifts we can give to people. When we do this, we build trust, and doors often burst wide open for the gospel to come through us to those around us. By stepping out and doing some things to create social, serving, and caring opportunities, we can meet real needs that all neighbors have. By meeting needs, we’ll meet neighbors. By meeting neighbors, we’ll develop friendships. By developing friendships, we’ll develop trust. By developing trust, we’ll gain a platform to share the gospel. By sharing the gospel, people will come to Christ. When people come to Christ, God’s Kingdom is expanded and community is transformed.
Creative ideas for initiating relationships in one’s neighborhood are:
Neighborhood Food Drive Help organize social gatherings for the neighborhood Get involved in your Home Owner’s Association Visit and/or deliver a meal to new neighbors or neighbors with new babies. Invite closest neighbors for breakfast or dinner Organize a service project for the local public school and invite neighbors to participate. Invite neighbors to go Christmas Caroling to others in your neighborhood.
Creative ideas for serving in our local public schools:
Simple work projects (open the door to relationship and begin to establish trust) Gift baskets for teachers (who usually spend an average of $500 of their own money for school supplies per year) Teacher’s Car Wash (door opener, builds trust) Serve as a teacher’s assistant (longer term, high relational impact) Volunteer as an after school tutor (which usually costs parents approximately $35 per hour) Lunchtime Mentoring (longer term, high relational impact) “Donuts with Dads” could springboard into additional relationship opportunities.
Scripture References
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2
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Opportunities to Serve Serving our Public Schools Mentor an Elementary Student – 30 minutes per week Our local elementary schools have wonderful mentoring programs that helps to connect adults with children in need of a positive adult role model. It’s amazing how one person can encourage and positively impact a child’s self esteem. All that’s required is 30 minutes per week, anytime during school hours. Mentors can even come on a lunch break and have lunch with their student! For more information, contact Drue Warner at [email protected] or 404-906-9117. Help a Kindergartner Learn to Read – 30 minutes per week Sugar Hill elementary has lots of opportunities for adults to come read with a child or help a child practice their reading by simply listening. This is an easy way to be a positive influence in a child’s life. For more information, contact Drue Warner at [email protected] or 404-906-9117.
N. Gwinnett Cooperative - Food Donations & Volunteer Opportunities The North Gwinnett Cooperative (www.northgwinnettcoop.org) accepts food and clothing donations which are distributed to families in need within our community. Hours of operation are Monday (6pm – 8pm), Wednesday and Friday (10am – 12pm). Volunteer opportunities include: sorting donations, cleaning the co-op, working in the thrift store, picking up food donations, event planning, and web site maintenance. For more information or to volunteer, contact Maureen Kornowa at 770-271-9793 or [email protected].
Gwinnett Children's Shelter - Buford Serving children as young as 5 years old, the Gwinnett Children's Shelter responds to the problem of child abuse and neglect. With a variety of serving opportunities, you can use your gifts/skills/talents to their full potential. Some of the needs include: Meals on Weekends, Community Liaison, Tutoring, Mentors, Hot Line worker, Activity Assistant, Safe Place Program & Site Preservation Worker and MORE!! For more information, contact Debra Potter at [email protected] or 678-405-2290.
Gwinnett Youth Detention Center - Join us every Saturday from 8:45am - 10:15am This is a thriving ministry to at-risk youth. You’ll have an opportunity to fellowship, encourage and share your faith with at-risk youth searching for hope. We meet on Saturday Mornings from 8:45am to 10:15am. Additional opportunities are forming for Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. For more information, contact Debra Potter at [email protected] or 678-405-2290.
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www.uniteus.org Unite! is a movement of churches throughout north Atlanta who are joining together to serve the community with the hope and vision for community transformation. Unite! was launched in 2003 when a few churches said, “ We are each doing some good things in the community, but what if we were to do it together?” A simple question with profound implications. Unfortunately, the Body of Christ is often more divided than united and fights for control instead of giving ourselves away to others. In October 2003 Unite! was launched with about 30 churches and 4,500 people who blessed and served the community in a variety of ways that showed NE Atlanta that churches cared about the needs of the community and could work together. Unite! is unique in that it is not a para church organization with a staff who is trying to get churches to work together in a city. It is a network of churches who are connecting with each other to be more effective in ministry and be part of God transforming the community. Overall, Unite! is now made up of close to 100 churches in NE Atlanta. The mission statement is “To
unite churches to pray, serve, and celebrate together so that our community sees our good works, experiences transformation, and glorifies our Father who is in heaven” ( Matthew 5:16).
While most of the churches are in the NE region of Atlanta, Unite! in the NW region of Atlanta is launching in the fall of 2006 with churches taking ownership in this region. Unite! has a statement of faith which is the Lausanne Covenant – a covenant with a strong emphasis on the gospel and biblical truth. This is not a movement that just focuses on “deed”. Because of our salvation, we seek to serve people of our communities with the love of Christ. Jesus’ ministry is accomplished through word and deed - the whole gospel. More information can be found at www.uniteus.org.
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