Here are some more thoughts for you on ways to apply my previous posts on evangelism. I’ve often heard care group leaders say they’d like to have a way for their care group to do a service project of some kind. Here are are two ideas for you to consider that can lead to not just physical work but gospel proclamation as well (Note: if you are not in a care group, keep reading, and you can adapt this idea for you.)
1. Make meals together (indirect servant evangelism)
Get together and make freezer meals together for our benevolence ministry. BCC often gets calls from those in our community who are in financial need. The looks on their faces are priceless when they come to our offices to get a financial gift and discover that we have a meal or two for them as well. These meals are also used for those inside the church when needed. Let me know if you need recipe ideas as others at BCC have gathered to do this in the past.
2. Neighborhood Service Project (direct servant evangelism)
Recently, our youth group went door to door in Washington asking homeowners if they wanted help with their leaves. They tried to engage in conversations about church and spiritual things as well. Why can't a care group do this? “We all don’t live in the same town?” No worries! Pick one care group household and do this in their neighborhood. Picture the care group raking and pulling weeds while the care group neighbor connects relationally with their neighbor. Even if a neighbor turns down the help, the care group neighbor gets another chance to interact with unsaved neighbors. Bring along some flyers about BCC and put them on the doors of those not home with a note from the care group neighbor. Hand out flyers to those who you serve.
Questions to ask your neighbors during this outreach assuming as you interact you discover they don’t have a church home:
Hi, I’m _____, your neighbor and my church small group are out looking to serve the neighborhood by helping with yard work free of charge. Can we start raking some leaves for you? Maybe cut branches or week anything? Yes? Okay, we’ll get started! And here are some cookies we baked for you, too.
1. Do you? So you obviously know now that I go to church, do you go or did you go growing up?
2. Why? Let me ask you this, do you think going to church is important in these times? Why or why not?
3. Why I do! Some might say the church is outdated, but I go as a response to what God did for me by sending His Son to pay for my sins. I accepted His offer to pay for my sins, so I go to church as way to show my thankfulness and love for God.
4. Would you? If I told you that you could attend a church and not feel judged or out of place, would you go?
5. More info? Could I give you a flyer with more about my church and some links to the sermons?
Are you considering this and fall or spring doesn’t work for your care group schedule—meaning when y’all are available there isn't much need for yard work in your neighborhood? How about:
-wheeling a hose reel and cleaning supplies and offer to wash cars during the summer?
-sending out a scout team (the local care group household) and asking what needs are in the neighborhood and fulfilling those needs on a Saturday as a group? Maybe some needs you hear are indoors or at a local park?
-singing Christmas Carols from the street while the care group neighbor goes to the door with cookies?
-partnering with the American Red Cross to give away and install free smoke detectors (an existing program)?
Not in a care group? Modify these ideas and take some BCCers with you!
Take care,
Ben D.
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