Fear marches across the land as a ruthless army of giants, but congregations nationwide can be fearless havens of peace. Churches are perfect hubs to generate amazing innovations that serve society. Sure, we can pass the potato salad and pour the coffee, but we can also share ideas and principles that will transform the generations.
Within the
church lies boundless imagination. Unfortunately, some congregations
lost their spark and their treasures were buried beneath the refuse of
the cultural wars. Let's recover that imagination in every church house
where Jesus is glorified as King!
Think of the seniors who fill the pews. We absently insult them with our condescension. We don't seek their wisdom or the direction they offer. With our youth, some congregations isolate them instead of letting young people blossom at the church's epicenter. Are we so weary we have forgotten the promise of youth? Unbridled aspiration prevents their hopes from being submerged by cynicism. Speaking of hopes, consider church members who have toiled for years at dead-end jobs for little pay. Churches can do more than accept their tithes and assign them to random ministries because warm, working bodies are needed in the ranks. Tap their creativity! Unimaginative bosses may ignore their contributions, but the local church never should.
The point is, churches, like no one else, can harness strengths like these and shape them into a powerhouse of influence. I mentioned five steps to do this in yesterday's post. Here are five more:
1. Tackle the needs of homeless people, on some level, in local areas.
Churches can start by making sure every member in their church has
shelter. They could work with nonprofit organizations and link
homeowners with those who need to rent rooms. They could hold free
seminars for those facing foreclosure. They also can support local
shelters and raise awareness about their efforts.
2. Create a community hub for the arts. Perform the
classics, not just Bible stories. The best of the classics have
redemptive elements that offer a fresh way to share truth with those
weary of of Bible-thumping, but hungry for biblical living. A strong
arts presence reveals the artistic glory of the church and communicates
truths that stick for a lifetime.
3. Create a hub for entrepreneurs. Support the
self-employed and encourage others to generate multiple streams of
income. Offer free workshops and seminars that train and motivate
entrepreneurs. Invite successful entrepreneurs in the church to mentor
and train those seeking to start a business.
4. Host lots of free events. Congregations certainly must
practice fiscal stewardship, but they should not fear financial loss because they want to protect their bank account. This can include national speakers, concerts, health
fairs, town hall meetings and food-related events. A local congregation
need not go broke hosting free events, but it should increase its
profile by providing activities that add value to their community's. A congregation's
resources are never determined by the financial mutations on Wall
Street.
5. Increase customer service. Congregations should work hard to ensure that every usher, parking attendant, pastor, receptionist and ministry leader offers the best service. What people will remember when they visit a congregation is how they were treated. Customer service also extends beyond the sanctuary. How does the surrounding neighborhood view the congregation? Is the parking on Sundays a mess for drivers? Do the neighbors wish the church offered child care? What about ESL classes? Talk with the neighbors and find out.
Judy Howard Ellis
