Wow, Don & Dave came! Don came to our Basketball Night, but I doubt he would have come to our worship service. Dave joined the Work and Life Training Program, but he would not have come to our Restored 2 Life Church. These non-church-type guys, even more, these non-faith-type guys have come to those programs because they are relevant to them. These programs offer what they are looking for, which is not spiritual nourishment, even though we are clear in our advertising that spiritual matters are a part of the program. At the Basketball Nights, 80 percent of the night is competitive basketball, but there is always a time to talk as men, including relating to God. The guys, most of whom never darken the door of a church, seem to enjoy the whole night, even though they are required to stay for the men-talk time in order to play basketball. They definitely are listening and the amount of interaction is growing. Our staff member Aaron considered skipping the men-talk time one evening due to time-constraints, and with concern, Don said, “Aaron, aren’t you going to preach to us tonight?” As well, the guys acknowledge appreciating a more peaceful atmosphere where conduct and language are monitored, compared to the pick-up games they are used to. At the weekly Work and Life Training Program, prayer and devotions are a part of the evening. As well, one of the modules is titled “Christian Worldview on Vocation.” But, to a guy like Dave, the program is practical in helping him get a better job. And we seek to teach about faith in God as practical and sensible, since it is. From reading some of Dave’s homework assignments for the Christian Worldview on Vocation, I can see he is interested and as he is feeling comfortable around me, we can have good discussions about his homework. I think Vacation Bible School can function in a similar way. If community churches have made themselves familiar to their neighborhood, it often works to invite neighborhood children, even children who come from non-church and non-faith-oriented families. Parents see that it’s fun and safe for the children, and as also for the other ministries discussed above, it’s rare that we find people who openly refuse prayer. In fact, people often appreciate a prayer for their needs. Here are a few quick tips and reminders: 1) Be clear, as well as tactful, in your advertising, as well as at the beginning of your first session, about faith matters you will cover, including prayer. 2) Be warm to participants, no matter what, so they can see that you genuinely appreciate them being there. With that, keep a clear balance within your ‘heart’ and in your approach, so that you do not have a hidden agenda, for example, to see them get-right spiritually. If that in fact is your overall goal, then be clear about that in your advertising. 3) Use a ministry setting that you feel allows for good ministry. For example, regarding our Basketball Nights, we started doing it in a local city park. We then moved it into a church gymnasium. That worked better because we could monitor language and conduct better, which was an issue for that particular program. At least in that case, it helped us to do better ministry when we could control the setting. Please Share about Christian ministries you know about which are welcomed by a community. Please Share about what makes them welcomed. (Iron Sharpens Iron posts are all listed at centerofhopesf.org/iron.)
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 21:45:01 +0000
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