Travis Bodden, Regional Director of the Midwest Region, takes time during fall each year to arrange small gatherings across the region. The gatherings will rotate which church hosts amongst the churches in a given area. The host church will provide a meal, Travis will share updates and encouragement from a regional perspective, and, typically, a guest is invited along to share as well. This year, I was honored to spend time with many of our pastors and leaders across the Midwest Region.
Our stops included Green Mound Church in Wayland, IA, Laurel Street Church in Freeport, IL, Mound Chapel Church in Decatur, IL, Blue Grass Church in Martinsville, IL, Shiloh Church in Odon, IN, and Trier Ridge Church in Fort Wayne, IN. Travis and I also stopped by to visit a few pastors as we passed through their communities. While many miles were driven (and lots of food was eaten), the conversations and stories shared were invaluable to the relationships necessary to be the family of God known as the CGGC.
One of the topics central to each gathering was the need to continue pursuing new expressions of church out in our communities. This doesn’t mean giving up on Sunday morning worship, but remembering that the people are the church wherever they are and that all of the ministry done throughout the week in our neighborhoods and work places is necessary. I shared stories of churches in our denomination that are starting ministries in prisons, at universities, and at state capitals. I then asked those present to share their own ministries out in the community – what were they doing personally, and as a church, to reach those who don’t know Jesus.
A retired teacher from Illinois shared that she went back into the school system to begin being a mentor at lunch to elementary students. The opportunity has grown over time to include building relationships with dozens of children and, eventually, their parents as well. Her husband has joined in the ministry as well, multiplying their efforts.
A semi-truck driver from Indiana shared that he purposefully wears t-shirts with Christian slogans and icons on them to stir conversation when he’s on the road. When the Spirit guides him, he approaches other truckers and offers prayers. Significant and powerful conversations have occurred for him on the road.
An addiction recovery worker from Indiana uses her own life experiences of recovery to walk with those looking for help. She has permission in her work to share the way Jesus empowers her and to offer that to others. Every day she has life changing conversations with those in the darkest moments of their lives by offering the life of Christ that brings hope.
Many more powerful stories were shared at these gatherings. Principles that were common amongst all of the stories were:
Proximity
If you want to engage people, you need to be around people. Searching out opportunities can be good, but opportunities often arise because we’re around people anyways. If you’re struggling with engaging in your community, check to see what proximity you have to people who don’t know Jesus.
Presence
If you want to engage people, you need to give them your attention. Often, the inconvenience of spiritual conversation was noted. Work stopped, meals were interrupted, schedules were changed. A willingness to say “yes” to others led to opportunities that could have easily slipped away.
Power
If you want to engage people, you need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Most stories that were shared included a qualification that the individual didn’t plan on the ministry, it just happened. Many more shared that the ministry was difficult and only the power of the Holy Spirit enabled them to keep going. In the end, none of us can do it on our own, engagement with those who don’t know Jesus requires supernatural power.
What’s your story? How has proximity, presence, and power led you to engage those who don’t know Jesus in your community, neighborhood, workplace, or on the road? How might God be calling you to form a new expression of church around these places?
CGGC eNews—Vol. 18, No. 44
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