BUILDING BRIDGES TO YOUR COMMUNITY HOW DO WE

BUILDING BRIDGES TO YOUR COMMUNITY

HOW DO WE REACH THEM?

DON’T BE THIS GUY! No Lone Rangers in the Church!! No return to the Golden Days of Yesteryear!! No Silver Bullets for Outreach!!

THE TWO APPROACHES 1. THEY COME TO US 2. WE GO TO THEM

HOW DO WE REACH THEM? ¡ Dechurched ¡ Attractional ¡ Unchurched ¡ Incarnational

Two Approaches ¡ Dechurched ¡ Unchurched ¡ Member as inviter (People come to Church and receive Jesus) as missionary (People receive Jesus and come to church)

Two Approaches ¡ Dechurched ¡ Unchurched ¡ Programs ¡ Process draw people to a church. builds Relationships and leads to Witness.

The Gospel is communicated best through…

Connecting to the Community • Luke 19: 5 -9 (Zacchaeus) • John 4: 1 -42 (The Woman at the Well) • Acts 20: 20 (Paul in Ephesus) “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ” What are some other Scriptural examples of the Gospel traveling over the bridge of relationships?

REALITY CHECK 1. What kind of people are you most comfortable with? Least comfortable with? Why? 2. Define friend. 3. Who was the last friend you made outside of your church? Describe how that friendship was made. 4. What is that person’s relationship with Jesus? How could you help draw your friend closer to Christ?

Going Net Fishing John 21: 1 -11 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish, ” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you. ” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Net Fishing He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish? ” “No, ” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. ” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord, ” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Net Fishing The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught. ” Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

A Fishing Story • “I’m going out to fish. ” • “We’ll go with you. ” • …but…they caught nothing. • “…at Your word we will let down our nets. ” • 153 fish • the net was not torn.

Fishing Principles • You have to go fishing to catch fish • You learn best how to fish by watching a good fisherman and doing what he does • You catch more fish with a net than with a rod and reel • Net fishing is an organized enterprise

Outreach Principles • Outreach into the community is not an end in itself • The immediate goal is for us to engage with people of the community • The ultimate goal is to form relationships wherein the Gospel may be shared • We serve the community because it is a Godly thing to do. This is not bait and switch.

GOING NET FISHING • Incarnational churches organize their members to serve the community THE TWO APPROACHES 1. THEY COME TO US 2. WE GO TO THEM

7 MISSIONAL ACTIVITIES A way to get started: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Prayer Walking Community Surveying Visioning Process Service Projects Personal Testimonies Outreach Events Sharing the Gospel

Prayer Walking Take a Walk Go for a walk alone or in a group of 2 or 3. As you walk, pray for various needs in the community. You can pray silently or aloud as you walk. Allow the following words to guide your prayers: • Pray for People • Pray for Pain • Pray for Problems • Pray for Places

Community Surveying Survey Questions: Briefly identify and introduce yourself, saying “I’m a member of Church here in and I’m doing a short three question survey. Do you have a minute to answer three questions? ” 1. What three words would you use to describe Church? 2. What needs do you see others in our community struggle with meeting? 3. If you were looking for a church home, what would you be looking for?

Finding Common Ground • Being where the fish are • Knowing what they want and need • Discovering the crosspoint of what they need and what you have to offer • Creating a Vision Strategy • See Chapter 3 in People of Passion

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ¡ ¡ ¡ Service Project Sundays Adopt a School Neighborhood Cleanups Free Giveaways Mission Trips See Chapter 4 in People of Passion ¡ First Lutheran, Hot Springs, AR

COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ Trunk or Treat Operation Christmas Child Backyard VBS Nursing Home Ministry Educational Events Support Groups Community Meetings/Groups Chapter 6 in People of Passion

At your Table What are some Community Service Projects or Net Fishing Events that you could do at your church or in your community? ¡ Pray for these activities and events, and pray for each other to follow through on your blessed intentions. ¡

WHAT? What is Seasons of Discovery?

Seasons of Discovery Is … A Step-wise Church Transformation Process ¡ Delivered in Four Seasons over two or more years ¡ That helps your church begin to engage your community with the Gospel of Jesus ¡

Each Season Includes: Personal Coaching, Skill Builders & Learning Guides for the Pastor ¡ Tools for Equipping People for Ministry ¡ Sermons & Bible Studies to Rally the People of the Church around the Theme of the Season ¡ Outreach Activities ¡

Each Season Equips 3 Groups Pastor & Staff ¡ A Mission-Minded Group Called People of Passion ¡ The Entire Church ¡

HOW? How Does Seasons of Discovery Work?

Timeline of the Seasons ¡ Churches have 2 blocks of time (seasons) in a year in which to work consistently on projects; Fall (Labor Day to Thanksgiving) l Winter/Spring (Jan-Mar or April-June) l Optional Summer Season l ¡ These natural windows of time on the calendar are utilized to focus on the areas of discovery spread out over four or more seasons.

What Happens? What happens in each season?

Seasons of Discovery Map

How Much? Standard Price = $1, 800 (per season) ¡ Introductory Price = $1, 200 ¡ l l First 6 Churches For more information, contact: Rev. Terry Tieman 844 -859 -9700 (toll free) terry. tieman@gmail. com Website: www. tcnprocess. org

COMMUNITY CONNECTION BLUEPRINT Instructions: Use the worksheet below to list specific actions you intend to take related to this Lab. Specific Action Step 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 When will I take this action