Many Christians like to get away and go camping in tents, cabins, or motor homes on weekends to relax with the family but often don’t know the churches in nearby towns and don’t know if the churches will welcome strangers since they often can not get dressed up due to cramped quarters and primitive facilities. Those driving big motor homes don’t want to leave their lot to drive the motor home around town looking for a church and don’t have a second vehicle to drive. They welcome churches that provide worship services at the campground or provide transportation to nearby churches.
Archive for the ‘Church ministry’ Category
Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost-B
24
Aug
My wife and I usually seek a church to attend on Sunday when we are away from home. We usually do a computer search to find a church nearby and how to get to it, however many travelers may not be able to or may not want to take the time to research it. Searching usually requires going through the phone book to get names and addresses. Then you have to access a travel site to get directions. You may have to research a lot of churches before you find one close to the motel. Then you have to look up their websites or Facebook page to find service times. That is a lot of work. Unfortunately, many churches do not have addresses on their websites or Facebook page. I may look up First Church in Columbus, Oh and it will pull up a list of pages for First Church. Many of them may be in New York, Texas, Florida, or someplace else. If the site doesn’t list the city and State, you don’t know if it is the right one. Obviously, travelers are not going to visit them. Putting addresses on websites and Facebook pages would also be a big help.
Twelfth Sunday of Pentecost-A-August 24
24
Aug
Few people think about those that travel, yet a large portion of our society travels at one time or other. Many travel by car and by plane but many also travel by bus. Many spend only a short time at their destination before returning home. Many people traveling stop at hotels and motels but do not know their way around town. Those who regularly attend church at home may or may not seek a church to attend while they are away. If they do, they may look up churches in the phone book but not know the times of services or how to get to the addresses listed. Calling the numbers listed in the phone book often doesn’t help since few churches offices are staffed on weekends. Motels used to have notebooks in each room with a list of nearby churches, directions from the hotel, and service times, which was compiled by local ministerial groups, and included a map to show directions, however I have not seen any for years. It would help visitors find a church to attend. It would also help people moving into an area to find a new church home. Local ministerial groups can compile the list, organize the notebooks, and distribute them to local motels.
Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost-August 17
17
Aug
Truck Stop Ministry-Few people take any thought to the many trucks that travel our highways day and night. Many truckers have families that they don’t see for weeks at a time. Often they are alone for long periods except for stops at truck stops to fuel, eat, and sleep. Drivers have long periods with nothing to do but think as they drive, or while they rest over layovers and while they may have passing conversations with truckers they pass, they often have little meaningful conversation. Truck stop ministries are springing up where truckers can stop and visit and where volunteers are glad to minister to their spiritual and social needs. Many ministries are getting trailers to use for worship services where Christian drivers can worship while they are on the road, since it is difficult for drivers to drive around town on Sunday morning looking for a church with a parking lot big enough to accommodate their rig.
mission opportunity
17
Aug
Pastor Sudarsanam Samuel Chatla, founder and servant of the Lord at Good Shepherd Compassion Ministries, based in Gandepalli, Andhra Pradesh, India, will be staying in the Bowling Green, Ohio area between September 19 to Oct 3rd. He and his wife will be available to share what the Lord is doing through their life and ministry in India. Since 2003, the ministry been caring for orphaned and underprivileged children. In addition to their orphan care, Good Shepherd Compassion Ministries is actively involved in: • Church planting among unreached tribal communities • Evangelism and discipleship in over 250 village churches • Leadership development for tribal pastors and evangelists • Disaster relief and support for leprosy patients, widows, and cyclone victims If you are interested in having them speak to your church or group, contact me at Robert.barr34@yahoo.com. I can schedule a date for them.
Tenth Sunday of Pentecost-August 10
10
Aug
-Homeless shelter ministry When I was young, the predominant homeless person was a drunken man or a broken down elderly widow. Social security has lifted many of the elderly out of poverty but we are seeing an increasing number of families. While welfare sustains many poor families, there is a great need for low cost housing that they can afford. As a result, we are seeing an increasing number of families while shelters for families fall far below the need, particularly in rural areas where families often bunk up with friends moving from house to house until they run out of friends. Some are homeless up to two years before seeking a shelter. Many are fearful of taking their children to the city where poor neighborhoods often contain violence and drugs. Single men and women are gravitating towards the city where most shelters for singles are but shelters are short-staffed and crowded. Churches can help shelters financially and with donations of food, clothes, and other needed items. Church members can also volunteer helping with food prep, childcare, parenting and Bible classes, and sorting donations.
Ninth Sunday of Pentecost Aug 3
31
Jul
Many churches started in the inner-city when the areas were more prosperous. As the areas deteriorated, many members moved out. The churches did nothing to reach the people living around the church. Eventually, the churches were made up mostly of non-resident members who came back to worship. The small remaining congregation was no longer able to support the big building which was too expensive to maintain. Eventually the churches decided to move to the suburbs where most of their members lived. Since the remaining members were often poor and elderly, they were not able to travel to the new church. Now some churches are seeking to reach the people in the inner-city but are finding it difficult because they have to rent facilities and they are often viewed as outsiders. The people are often geared toward survival and preaching alone will not attract the people here. The church must demonstrate God’s love through tangible ministry by meeting needs and showing they care. It must go beyond merely providing food and clothes to providing job training and teaching life skills.
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost-July 19
18
Jul
Jails-Sunday Services, Bible Studies, and counseling are greatly needed in jails and prisons. Many in jails are short term and more minor offences while prisons are more long term and more serious offences. While ministering in jails and prisons is a very difficult ministry, it is very rewarding to see inmates turn to Christ. Many who have broken the law feel guilty and want to find forgiveness. They need to know that there is forgiveness and redemption through the shed blood of Christ. Others realize that what they did was wrong and want to mend their ways. They feel that they can’t change so why try. They need to know that we can become a new creature in Christ and there are people willing to help them. Often those let out of jail face problems they don’t know how to solve. Getting back home, reestablishing a residence, getting a job, etc. Many are afraid to face the unknown ahead and are encouraged that someone who understands the process is willing to walk with them through the process. Families of inmates also struggle and need encouragement. Often they face the loss of the
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost July 12
12
Jul
Nursing Homes Nursing homes have changed over the years. They used to be short term where people went to die. Now they are often short term for therapy and then residents return to their homes, though some may live there for up to ten years or more. Far fewer die in nursing homes these days. There is a great need for workers to minister to those in nursing homes. Many are away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings. Many are no longer able to take care of themselves or do many things they used to do, either temporarily or permanently. In addition, many of those there are facing death and need to deal with it. Like young people, they are facing a transition and are making decisions that will impact, not only the rest of their life (short as that may be), but where they will spend eternity. Many are open to hearing the hope of the Gospels. Many have lost loved ones who may be Christians but they themselves aren’t. Also, many have no family or friends nearby and have no visitors. They welcome those who come to visit. Many enjoy visits from children (though some don’t so be sure and check first) It’s a good way to teach children to minister to others and children often enjoy it as well. The government has recognized the bonding that children and the elderly develop and has begun pairing nursing homes with Day Care Centers for inter-generational programs.
Fifth Sunday of Pentecost-July 6
04
Jul
College Students-Students, brought up in the church, are often away from home for the first time when they leave for college. The decisions they make will affect the rest of their life. They are bombarded with secular teaching causing them to question what they believe and often do not get any support for their Christian beliefs. Without support from their parents, many drift away from church and their Christian beliefs. It is important for them to connect with a church near campus and a Christian organization on campus to support them in finding adequate answers to support their faith. Parents can research what organizations have branches on campus and what churches are nearby. In addition, parents can notify a church near campus and Christian organizations on campus that their child is on campus so they can attempt to contact their child. You can support Christian organizations on campus and churches that are near a college campus can provide Christian activities for students. Liberals are trying to prevent Christian organizations on many college campuses from using campus facilities and such organizations may soon have to turn to churches near campus for facilities to meet.