Showing posts with label Outreach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outreach. Show all posts

Monday, October 3, 2011

Intentions v. Intentionality

We all have good intentions. In fact we've heard that the road to you know where is paved with good intentions. That's the best we can sometimes say about intentions. They are stand alone "woulda coulda shouldas". What if we put feet to these good intentions, roll them into a plan and do them? Now that's intentionality!. Great ideas with a plan.

Do you have someone you have been wanting to ask to church or Bible study? Perhaps someone you have had on your heart for a while?

Why not put that great idea into action and plan to invite them this week to join you at church. You may not be able to reach the world, but you can reach your world. You won't however reach anyone without a plan.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Millennials

The Reality
I recently read an article by Thom Rainer of LifeWay, in which he discussed the generation from form 1980-1991- The Millennials. As America's largest generation, this generation represents also the greatest lostness in relationship to a personal faith in Jesus. Of the 80 million in this generation, only 15 percent have a relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ.(Romans 10:9-11).

The Hope
We serve a mighty God and His Word is true and sure. The 68 million who are opportunities for witnessing, should first bring us to our knees and then to our feet. Our generation must confess the sin of silence and begin sharing Jesus without fear. They won't know unless we tell.

The Challenge
Our next Share Jesus Without Fear classes begin August 22 & 25, 2010. You can register by clicking here. Join the 30+ others at Anderson Mill who recently completed the last Share Jesus Without Fear class. Don't wait. Millions are waiting to hear.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

One Year's Weeds- Seven Year's Seeds


I heard this on a radio gardening show years ago. Dewey Compton was the friend of every farmer, gardener and landscaper in the Houston area. Last night I returned home from a meeting and had just enough light to go outside and pull some weeds in my neighbor's yard. They are out of town and I have been looking after their place. I was about finished when I heard a voice behind me. He called to me again and this time I turned and see a high school student walking toward me with earbuds, and MP3 player in tow. He asked what I was doing and wondered if he could help. "Sure," I said. (I had just gotten to the hard part- the crab grass.) He sat down and began to pull weeds. He said he was bored and was walking so he could pass the time. We dropped handles and bio stuff about our families.

The pile of pulled weeds was growing larger and the conversation was coming around to the future (he would graduate next year.) "Not good enough for big college but too good for community college," were his words. I asked him about church attendance and for the next few minutes we waded through some fast moving, but shallow water about God, religion, his beliefs and my testimony. The weeds were almost gone as was the light. My friend stood up and offered me a hand. We left the door open for future encounters in the yard and parted ways.

'One year's weeds, seven year's seeds." I pray that the seeds that were planted that night would produce a harvest- not of weeds, but of the soul. I am praying that as we all do work, that we will be tuned in to hearing when someone calls our name. Be ready at any hour of the day or night.

Friday, February 5, 2010

"Not Bad" Isn't Good Enough

"Not bad." I hear this sometimes when someone thinks they have completed a "pretty good" attempt at a task or project. Or it may sound like this, "Well, I'm not a bad person." Thank God that the gospel doesn't give us an opportunity to be graded on a curve, or it wouldn't be "good news" for eternity.


"9 out of 10 isn't bad." When we share the good news with other people, the gospel offers hope not odds. It is 100% sure that with Jesus as Savior, a person will go to heaven. Period. That's the best news we can share with people. 100% of the time. 100% of the people who accept Jesus as Savior go to heaven. How would you like to live a life that has based it's future hope on , "Well, I hope I go to heaven"?


We can know with certainty, today, right NOW!


1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you
who believe in the name of the Son of God,
so that you may know that you have eternal life.
















The Railyard at Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

On Misson or Missional


I read this statement in an article: "On Mission or Missional?" What? Am I waiting for an event or am I developing a lifestyle? That's it. Passive or active. Growing up as a Christian, I waited for the mission trips, the special offerings and the date on my calendar when I could be "on mission." I now realize that I am to be looking for opportunities to serve others. This is how it may look for a family who is missional.
* For your child- Tell your child, "On the way home from school, try to pick up 10 pieces of trash." I saw this in the life of a friend, Ruth Warner. As she walked through our neighborhood, she picked up trash as she walked. 90+ years old and she's missional.
* For your teen- Challenge your teen to offer to help a neighbor, to clean a fence marred by graffiti or to volunteer at a local children's sports event.
*For Adults- Consider being a block parent. Intentionally stand outside when school children are coming home from school. Look for how you might help the latch-key children.
*For the Family- Find a neighborhood park near your home and spend some time pulling weeds, picking up trash. Perhaps you can find an elderly neighbor or single parent and offer to do some basic maintenance for them.

There are many variations of these suggestions. The idea is to be looking for opportunities. When you spot something promising, talk about it as a family before you begin. Make sure you get permission for those projects that are on private property.

Monday, December 7, 2009

What’s the right size for me?




As a follow up to the last posting, I would like to ask these questions: “What’s the right (optimum) size church for me?”, “What’s the right size ABF class for me?”, or “What is the right size small group for me?” Often things fit because they are the right size for us. Things feel good, comfortable and we just fit well. I find myself asking some other questions about these same subjects: “Has my class size changed since this time last year?” or “Has my church sized changed since last year?” or “Has my small group size changes since this time last year?” Really, the question should be, “Have I become comfortable with the size or my class, group or church?”

Thoughts like these are only good for me and my situation, but they are deadly for the next generation or even those who will come next year. My goal for 2010 is to help create an environment that will impact my community. If you are interested in seeing our church go forward in 2010, will you join together and create an environment for motion, growing and maturity? I’m making necessary adjustments to my comfort zone that will include more people, more touch points, and, more relationships. I’m praying that people will come to our church, classes and groups because they were invited by us and not because they drove by and saw the church.
(The picture above is a Pizza Hut delivery car stopped in front of McDoanlds. The driver was outside his comfort zone as he purchased a "Happy Meal" for one of his children.)