"He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. " Matthew 13:37 - 38
A while back a friend was talking about the rising crime rate in his neighborhood. There had been several car break ins and home "invasions" as they are now called. He was glad that he and his family were selling their home.
Moving is a common response to a community in decline and I don't blame my friend for thinking about the safety of his family for sure. Yet, I asked him why that is our first response. What if instead of looking elsewhere, we Christians starting praying about what we could do about such things? Why leave the solutions of our troubled neighborhoods to someone else? What if my friend had decided to stay in the neighborhood as an ambassador of God's kingdom to help turn the neighborhood in the other direction?
Why not start where we live?
Sounds idealistic I know. But, I also know of people doing just that in Atlanta - moving into difficult neighborhoods to help transform them.
The bigger issue isn't whether or not you or I should move to a tough neighborhood. The point is to see ourselves as missionaries where we live. We do not live where we do just because we need a roof over our heads. We are the sons and daughters of the kingdom, planted to bloom wherever we are.
What would it mean to live on mission right where you live? Could you start a ministry in your neighborhood? Consider this...
There are great needs even if you and I live in what appear to be nice, comfortable, middle class neighborhoods. Marriages need help. People are living beyond their means. People are searching for real relationships. The kingdom needs to be grown. People need to know Jesus and you might be the person to help them find Him.
From simplechurch.wordpress.com...."Can we transform our community by driving away from the neighborhood we live in, to minister to people one day a week, who live somewhere else? If we look carefully we can become aware of the congregation of people who are constantly around us seven days a week. We call it a neighborhood and we barely notice it falling apart until it’s too late. That’s usually when we move, leaving the problem for someone else. Unfortunately the problem just follows us to our next neighborhood because all along we were the solution we didn’t take responsibility for.
Resources for Starting A Neighborhood Ministry
Websites
http://www.simplechurch.wordpress.com/
Randy Frazee on what he is doing in his neighborhood... Click Here
More from Randy Frazee Click Here
There is a movement in our culture to reconnect our neighborhoods. Check out
www.startwhereyoulive.com
A while back a friend was talking about the rising crime rate in his neighborhood. There had been several car break ins and home "invasions" as they are now called. He was glad that he and his family were selling their home.
Moving is a common response to a community in decline and I don't blame my friend for thinking about the safety of his family for sure. Yet, I asked him why that is our first response. What if instead of looking elsewhere, we Christians starting praying about what we could do about such things? Why leave the solutions of our troubled neighborhoods to someone else? What if my friend had decided to stay in the neighborhood as an ambassador of God's kingdom to help turn the neighborhood in the other direction?
Why not start where we live?
Sounds idealistic I know. But, I also know of people doing just that in Atlanta - moving into difficult neighborhoods to help transform them.
The bigger issue isn't whether or not you or I should move to a tough neighborhood. The point is to see ourselves as missionaries where we live. We do not live where we do just because we need a roof over our heads. We are the sons and daughters of the kingdom, planted to bloom wherever we are.
What would it mean to live on mission right where you live? Could you start a ministry in your neighborhood? Consider this...
There are great needs even if you and I live in what appear to be nice, comfortable, middle class neighborhoods. Marriages need help. People are living beyond their means. People are searching for real relationships. The kingdom needs to be grown. People need to know Jesus and you might be the person to help them find Him.
From simplechurch.wordpress.com...."Can we transform our community by driving away from the neighborhood we live in, to minister to people one day a week, who live somewhere else? If we look carefully we can become aware of the congregation of people who are constantly around us seven days a week. We call it a neighborhood and we barely notice it falling apart until it’s too late. That’s usually when we move, leaving the problem for someone else. Unfortunately the problem just follows us to our next neighborhood because all along we were the solution we didn’t take responsibility for.
The grass is not greener on the other side, but where we cultivate it. Touching peoples lives is the same way. The Christian life is not about where we go to Church nor is it about Church buildings or meetings, yet for most of us, that has become the center of our Christian experience.If you want to make a difference, step out and make your neighborhood your mission field. Be prepared to experience first hand, real transformation unfold before your eyes, including yours. Your life will never be the same again."
Resources for Starting A Neighborhood Ministry
Websites
http://www.simplechurch.wordpress.com/
Randy Frazee on what he is doing in his neighborhood... Click Here
More from Randy Frazee Click Here
There is a movement in our culture to reconnect our neighborhoods. Check out
www.startwhereyoulive.com
