One the great things about the Revolutionary Love series at Connexus is that it's had such practical application points every week. Bring food and clothing. Buy a mosquito net. Build a health clinic. All tangible, "doable" stuff.
To be honest, peoples' response has been incredible. I'm wondering whether it's not just because people's hearts have been moved, but because the "ask" has been so clear, direct and specific.
Often in preaching, we're vague about what we ask people to do - how we ask them to respond. "Be generous" is far less tangible than "buy a mosquito net". And while I've tried to get clearer and clear on how people can respond tangibly to the teaching of scripture, I feel like there's still a gap we can close.
As we get ready to leave this series, I'm thinking actively about how to make more concrete asks with regular series. I'm not sure doing a "project" a week is realistic or tangible every single weekend. But clearly, we're not preaching so people can simply say "nice message" or "I didn't know that before." We want to preach for transformation.
So, week to week, what kinds of things would help you better apply what we're talking about. What's worked well in the past, what crazy ideas are floating in your brain, and what might work well in the future. Ideas?
Well, maybe not EVERY week but often is good! :o) I liked the little handout you gave us once to track something for the week. Oops, I forget what it was, specifically, 'cause I didn't do it but I'm further on in my walk now and would be more open to this!
Personally, I can't wait for the parenting series and I bet my kids will be thankful afterwards, too. lol I like the idea of handouts to work on for the week and perhaps (online) post some results from different people on how we did with whatever task. And seeing the different results will perhaps give us tips for our own work for the week.
I hope you get the gist of what I'm trying to suggest. lol
Posted by: Jen | December 17, 2008 at 05:23 PM
My wife and I started attending Connexus in Sept I couldnt help but feel this. Unity of purpose. I wonder if we were to find some area of service within the community and throw our support behind it. Once we have picked something or come up with our own idea, it will be clear to everyone what is being asked of them to do. I have always appreciated other Christian ministries that have a project that they are known for supporting. Want could Connexus be known for?
Posted by: Richard Yeomans | December 17, 2008 at 07:49 PM
For me, Connexus is already doing something that is very effective, which supplying sermon notes.
I tend to "leave it at church" if I don't have a practical way to do what I've heard. The sermon notes are a tangible way that God works transformation in my life. Thank you for that!
My favourite thing that Connexus has done is reaching into the community of the lost via the telephone pages (I found this very practical) and the door hangers.
I love that the crew at Connexus is thinking outside the box and am happy to be part of a church that is about making a place for the unsaved to "check-it-out".
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: robyn gibson | December 18, 2008 at 03:38 AM