Outreach
Serving your local community.
Related topics: Activist Faith, Engaged in Culture, Ministry, Missions
LATEST POSTS
the invisible girls by sarah thebarge: you will eat it up, promise
At twenty-seven, Sarah Thebarge was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through multiple surgeries, painful treatments, and long hospital stays. An important relationship ended, her church family bailed, a friend died of cancer, and her world fell apart....
new ezine, new ideas: impact (with crafts)
Impact is a new quarterly ezine focused on impacting others in a positive way. Each issue will focus on a specific theme, and the inaugural theme is impacting others with crafts. Crafts? Aren't those the popsicle stick creations your kids won't stop showering you...
overhead projectors make Jesus smile
We've been attending a tiny church in a local trailer park. It's one of those classic situations where you think you are there to serve others, and you walk away feeling served to by them. There aren't greeters or ushers or enough chairs. When it's time to gather...
cruisin’ through the night
The church sound equipment had been tampered with. A group of middle school boys passing through the church after school were responsible. In response, they were required to complete community service hours at the church. My husband, the youth pastor at the time,...
for those i see constantly but know little
As a child, I remember visiting the local bank. Dark, shiny wood paneling lined the walls. People in formal attire smiled and handed out Dum Dums. Black pens hung on beaded chains. Chatter remained hushed. I loved going to the bank and listening to the familiar...
serving others with hearts, glitter, and unicorns
A rag-tag group of elementary students sat at a table and hand-crafted Valentine’s cards. The cards would be delivered to shut-ins of the church. In the pile of crayon smears and scratchy writing lay my daughter’s card. She has a flair for the dramatic, so the card...
on throwing canned goods and tracts
A woman named Amy Sherman said the following about the Good Samaritan: “It’s not like he stood on the other side of the road and threw canned goods and religious tracts at the guy. He crossed the road. He got up close and personal. He dirtied his own hands.” Isn’t...
canned lima beans taste bad and other lessons from the grocery store
A couple of weeks ago, our church's bulletin contained a blurb about the new, permanent food pantry going up in our lobby. Members have the opportunity fill the pantry weekly, and then, the contents of the pantry are donated to a local public school. Nice. However,...
a fire engine for christmas
“I didn’t get a chance to see the fire engine this year,” she said, her voice carrying regret and sadness. My sister in law’s cancer had come back and their life was once again filled with endless rounds of chemo, waiting rooms and doctor visits. They were...
total immersion
immersion: a state of being deeply engaged or involved; being absorbed by. I see them every time I drive to church. On park benches, in shady corners, on church steps. In alleyways, on street corners, under bridges. So often I turn my eyes the other way so as to...
a little bit of [laundry] lovin’
It's Wednesday evening and you've got a big presentation Thursday afternoon. You go to your closet to discover the outfit you want to wear is dirty. "That's okay" you think, "I'll just wash it." But just after you start the load, your washing machine breaks. So you...
how to feed the hungry [from our excess]
Picture this. Your church fellowship hall filled to capacity. There are people everywhere. And enough food to feed hundreds - maybe even thousands. People sharing conversation with others at their table. Eating as much as they possibly can. Sounds like a typical...
how to ensure your efforts land you in the right place
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufiUt0xAibE&w=590] [serialposts]Trajectory. This word has buzzed around in my head all week. tra·jec·to·ry [truh-jek-tuh-ree] noun, plural -ries. 1. the curve described by a projectile, rocket, or the like in its flight....