Neighborhood Ministries

Category: Church ministry

  • Tenth Sunday of Pentecost-July 26

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    Bob Barr
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     Special Events in the park like Church picnics or special activities in the church parking lot gives the church an enjoyable time of fellowship but can also serve as a valuable way to reach those who don’t attend church. Large community events like fireworks displays that draw crowds also provide excellent opportunities when the church…

  • Ninth Sunday of Pentecost July 19

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    Bob Barr
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     Movie Night-Few small towns these days have anything to draw them together. Some churches have started having movie night in the church parking lot during the summer. People may be drawn to visit the church by showing family friendly films and films demonstrating the faith, and allowing visitors to blend with members and get to…

  • Seventh Sunday of Pentecost-July 1

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    Bob Barr
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    Rural Churches Can-A small town United Methodist Church I once served was complaining they could not compete with churches in nearby cities and felt they had no future. It was started in 1816 but its first history wasn’t written until 1911 so much of its early history was lost. I began contacting churches around the…

  • Sixth Sunday of Pentecost-June 28

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    Bob Barr
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    Neighborhood Center Ministry-Poor areas have many problems caused by poverty. Lack of transportation makes it difficult to get assistance from agencies and there are many needs that agencies can’t help. The Salvation Army has developed the greatest network of neighborhood centers of any church. Each church is usually in a poverty area and provides not…

  • Fifth Sunday of Pentecost June 21

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    Bob Barr
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    Visiting homebound-As the government has developed home care services for those elderly who can no longer take care of themselves, more of those who need a little help each morning getting bathed and dressed, but can take care of themselves after that, have been able to stay in their own homes instead of going into…

  • Fourth Sunday of Pentecost-June 14

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    Bob Barr
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    Meeting A Need-If there is a need in your area and there is no one meeting that need, you may  consider organizing a ministry through your church or in your community. The small groups may check to see if there are nearby residents needing lawns cut, snow shoveling of simple repairs. If the group doesn’t…

  • Third Sunday of Pentecost June 7

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    Bob Barr
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    Meeting your neighbors Years ago, stable neighborhoods were friendly places where neighbors knew each other and socialized frequently. These days, few people know their neighbors, even in stable neighborhoods. As residential areas have been separated from shopping and office areas, many neighborhoods have become bedroom communities where people come home to eat and sleep. They…

  • Second Sunday of Pentecost-May 31-Trinity Sunday

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    Bob Barr
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    Trinity Sunday A-The Second Sunday of Pentecost is Trinity Sunday when Christians celebrate the Trinity, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The Jews dealt with God the Father through the priests and prophets, and occasionally through Angels sent to deliver messages. Then Jesus came in bodily form to show us the nature of the Father in…

  • Sixth Sunday of Eastertide- May 10

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    Bob Barr
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     Prepare-Too many churches simply wait until a position is open and then try to fill it. The problem with that is the same people continue to serve so there are very few in the church with experience and very few members are involved in the church’s ministry. Many people are afraid to take new positions…

  • Fifth Sunday of Eastertide May 3

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    Bob Barr
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    Involve New People-It is not enough to just have everyone take a year off. The church must actively seek to involve new people. A full-time search committee should be established that actively meet with members to talk with them about their interests and help them find areas that interest them. Too often search committees are…