June Ministry Focus - Knowing Your Community

How well do you know your community?  What is the culture of your community - the rhythm of life within your community - the individual and corporate needs of your community and its members?

This month we would like you to focus on ministering to the needs within YOUR COMMUNITY.

Begin with prayer.  Ask God to open your eyes that you may see your community as He sees it.  Where are the unmet needs?  Who are the people in your community that are in need of God's blessing?  Who could benefit by a compassionate touch of God?  In what ways can YOU serve them through the love of Christ?

Honestly and fervently seek God in your prayer-life this month concerning your personal mission role and the role of your congregation within your community.  Is there a ministry or mission opportunity for you and/or your congregation right within your own back yard? In what ways can you serve? Ask the Holy Spirit where He would like you to begin.

Then begin to reach beyond your comfort zone to participate in and learn the elements of the culture within your community.

How? Start by volunteering where the Lord reveals a need. Remember to ask questions.  Genuine questions often open doors to real heart-matters.  Ask questions like why certain neighbors still haven’t mowed their lawn and how your group or church can help. Questions such as, how your congregation can assist with keeping the elderly cool, or help the handicapped with transportation, or offer to repair the single mother's broken vehicle.  How can you bring aid to the person or business that needs practical assistance? In what way can you better support your community’s leadership? How you can help to provide the children of your community some wholesome fun during these summer months?

Focus on those who serve your community. Firefighters, emergency personnel, police, the mayor, community leaders are just some of those who need spiritual support and influence.
Be sure to pray for your local educators and school administrators.  Have you been involved by serving in a school during the school year? What can you do to continue that relationship now that summer break is beginning?

Which of these groups are you or your congregation specifically called to serve? 

Ministry doesn't simply take place within the church walls.  Ministry begins at home, flows out through your community, and impacts cities, states, and our world.  And it starts with you knowing your community.

• Pray for your community.
• Get involved in your community.
• Ask questions to help you learn about the culture of your community (the people, the rhythm of life, the businesses, the strengths and the weaknesses).
• Then use what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you to serve your community with the love of Christ.

... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8b (NIV)