"Community and
Outreach Minister" ... what on earth is that? I know that this combination of
words doesn't necessarily create a picture for you. I hope that by telling a
story and inviting you to celebrate it with me, you can get a better idea.
A couple weeks ago, I brought a friend to lunch at the
Cafe on the Terrace, and while I was there, I asked Councilwoman Angela Amundson
for time to meet. We put our calendars together and scheduled some uninterrupted
time to talk. When I told her that I hoped to brainstorm with her about the youngsters
that hang out on our property (and sometimes the Cafe property too), she added,
"Would you like for me to invite someone from the police department to join us?"
I thought that was a marvelous idea. I had no big expectations for the meeting,
just hope to build on.
The next week, I came to the Cafe for our appointment
and found Angela and Mike Mitchell, the assistant chief of police for the Mountlake
Terrace Police Department. We had a lively discussion about past and present
approaches to youth outreach in Mountlake Terrace and ideas that leaders in town
have for the future. I told them about our November youth concert and pizza party
at the church, and that we hope to do more to befriend and minister to the youth
of the city. We all agreed that these are bright, nice kids who are bored and
unsupervised. Instead of suspicion and irritation, we-the Cafe, the police
department, and members of our church-hope to greet them with gentleness and
offer guidance to them. Then, a stunning thing happened. Before I knew it,
the assistant chief and Cafe on the Terrace agreed to be joint sponsors of our
next pizza night! Councilwoman Amundson and Officer Mitchell gave me more leads
for potential community partners. Also, at further gatherings targeted to the
youth, |
additional city council members will be invited to meet the young people,
learn about our church, and join with us to make a positive impact in the lives
of these youngsters. Here, I had hoped only to widen doors of communication,
and the Holy Spirit paved a sidewalk of partnership for more to walk with us!
Let me say this clearly. The church is not being
asked to pay one red cent for the next youth outreach event. If we are
faithful to follow where God leads, perhaps we will never have to worry about
paying for another one. This is savvy financial stewardship and community
goodwill all in one opportunity! All we need are a few volunteers for one
Friday evening in February.
In a time when many Christians feel their faith
is in exile, unwelcome in the public square, perhaps the problem is that we
exiled ourselves. Jesus was out preaching and teaching where the neediest
people were-generally not in the synagogue. The Great Commandment begins with
the word "GO." Go make disciples. A Community and Outreach Minister is able
to make agency, business, and local government contacts and consistently build
on them. Also, the Community and Outreach Minister equips the congregation for
community outreach. Then, the congregation is known and positively regarded
in the community, the gospel is lived and preached, and God blesses the
ministry.
I know that the ministry proposal I brought
to you is very unlike the usual model. However, there are churches thriving
with the co-pastor model, even growing in membership. Perhaps, it can work
at our church, too. Please continue in your prayer and discernment.
Have a Blessed New Year!
--Angela
|
