Although these are only a few summer community-building ideas, the possibilities are unlimited. As you are thinking and praying about what you might want to plan, listen to the needs of the community, then brainstorm about how you might be able to meet those needs.
All by Anessa Westbrook
Building Bridges with Our Communities: Spring Bridge Events
As you are planning events for the spring, general seasonal-themed events or ones focusing on local interests or holidays are good to consider. Bridge events create community on multiple levels: within our own churches by giving an opportunity for new members to get to know people as well as building bridges between our congregation and the community.
Building Bridges with Our Communities: Ideas for the Holidays
One idea to reach the community is through outreach events, or “bridge events.” These events are designed to invite neighbors, colleagues, and community members, giving them a chance to come through our doors. The fall and winter seasons are great times to plan some of these events.
Learning Styles and Spiritual Growth
Tapping into the way they learn can make the message come alive and ignite their imaginations. We need to spend time thinking about the process behind our teaching.
Flipping the Script on Spiritual Disciplines
Flipping the script on how we present practicing spiritual disciplines could certainly impact our churches, both in how many are choosing to practice and in their attitude toward them.
The Unrelenting Purpose of God in Blessings
When we experience blessing, we need to be thoughtful and prayerful about what God can, or intends, to do with that blessing.
The Complicated Task of Forgiveness
When we offer forgiveness it is not of benefit to that person, but instead we can see the true benefit to ourselves of forgiveness
When the Cold Sets In
This image of warmth and coldness is a great primer on how to develop spiritual disciplines and is helpful as we try to improve our quiet time as the year winds down.
Developing a Thankful Heart
When we intentionally choose to name the blessings in our lives, we engage in a transformational experience. It gives us a lens through which we will begin to see life and God differently.
The Christian Concept of Hope
When we face the unknown, we are demonstrating a different type of faith to the world, and we may have the opportunity to share about how God has been faithful in our lives and the lives of others in the past.
The Call to Remain
Allowing people to look at our lives and wonder about God puts us in a front row seat to see how He touches people and how the kingdom can grow. It gives us the opportunity to share our faith.
The Power of a Life Lived Faithfully
Our entire lives do not have to be filled with tasks that others deem important. God is using us daily in small ways, but perhaps there will be a bigger thing later.
Sharing the Mighty Deeds of God
Perhaps we need to commit to be more faithful in sharing not only the good news of Jesus, but the good news about what God has done in our lives.
Collateral Faith: Influencing Main Characters
Sometimes as we are facing difficult things, our manner in doing so impacts more people than we know. We must live faithfully.
Serving with Love
Tabitha obviously served with love, and that love was sensed by those who were beneficiaries. She lived out her faith in a tangible way that blessed others.
Young People, Big Impact
Imagine being that boy who offered up his five loaves of bread and two fish. His willingness and generosity to give up his meal instigated the miracle.
Collateral Faith
When we are reading and studying the Bible, we often focus on the main characters, rarely considering those who are members of the faceless, nameless “crowd.”
Preparing the Next Generation of Thinkers
Your congregations’ efforts to teach your teens and students how to study the Bible makes a difference. As a Bible professor, I can tell who has been taught to read the text for understanding.
Partial Fasting for Spiritual Growth
It’s important to take time to reflect on where we stand in our spiritual lives, and assess things that may be distracting us.
The Challenge and Opportunity of Discontinuous Change
During a time of re-imagination, these challenges can open new doors and help us see our communities in a new light.