Neighborhood Ministries

Category: Church ministry

  • Ninth Sunday of Pentecost Aug 3

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    Bob Barr
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    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…

  • Seventh Sunday of Pentecost-July 19

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    Bob Barr
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    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…

  • Sixth Sunday of Pentecost July 12

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    Bob Barr
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    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.…

  • Fifth Sunday of Pentecost-July 6

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    Bob Barr
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    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…

  • Fourth Sunday of Pentecost -June 28

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    Bob Barr
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       Trailer park/apartment complex ministry-When I was first starting out, I was asked to help a Presbyterian Church that was dying. After I got the church back on its feet and it felt it could call a full time pastor, my wife and I bought a small trailer and moved into a nearby trailer park…

  • Third Sunday of Pentecost-B-June 22

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    Bob Barr
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    Para-church organizations–Ministry beyond the church In the beginning, para-church organizations to minister to the community were supported by the churches which provided oversight as well as supplying funds and volunteers. As a result, many church members were able to get training and experience through the programs. However, many churches no longer support the parachurch organizations…

  • Third Sunday of Pentecost-A-June 22

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    Bob Barr
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    Parachurch Ministries– Ministry beyond the church In the past, many members learned to minister to others as they ministered to other members and to those who  came to the church for help. Today, church members are so scattered they rarely know each other well and few people come to the church seeking help anymore. As…

  • First Sunday of Pentecost-B-June 8

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    Bob Barr
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    Organizing For Ministry–We often think that the church cares for its members and decades ago that was true in small churches but today, even small churches have problems ministering to their members. Previously, small churches usually drew from a small area and everyone knew each other outside church as well as in the church. In…

  • First Sunday of Pentecost-A-June 8

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    Bob Barr
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    Not just for Pastors-Many people think that only preachers can lead people to Christ, but Jesus said to His disciples, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. While there have been times when evangelists like George Whitefield and Billy Graham have risen to call God’s people to repentance, the main response…

  • Fifth Sunday of Eastertide-May 25

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    Bob Barr
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    Develop new ministries Our society glorifies personal accomplishments, but we are limited as we try to accomplish things alone. The church needs to take this time to help members discover where they can use their gifts in current ministries and survey the community to discover the needs around it so it can develop new ways…