2
1 votes
I Have a Few Questions for You
Posted by
Kent Copley
,
07 September 2013
·
1232 views
This month my writing topic is simple. I have a few questions for you. I would love and value your input. At our local church we have a +35 year history and a congregation that has ranged from 600-750 in attendance. Yes we “do” missions. We are involved locally and globally. Let’s start the conversation.
Locally…there are a number of ministries happening. We have an annual event/outreach to help those who have less in life. We are involved with other local churches in a benevolent ministry, a community meal, teen crisis pregnancy center, and a few other ministries here and there. In addition, we put on an annual Christmas program that isoutreach focused. We encourage our people to view themselves as missionaries where they live, work and play. I would say we are good at many things, but not great at a few. Generally our church is viewed as a light in the community, and if our church didn’t exist, the community would likely feel the loss.
Globally…typically some +35-50% of our tithes and offerings is designated to missions, with the largest portion going to GCF and CAMA. Our kids and youth programs support, financially and prayerfully, a C&MA international work in Africa. Our adults have embraced another C&MA Creative Access work in Central Asia as a Pastoral Care Partner. We regularly pray for and keep in touch with many other global international workers.
There is much more to say about each of these areas, but this is the heart of it. So back to the questions I have for you. Recently, I have been given the “green light” to cast vision and establish goals for our efforts in missions. We want to think differently and uniquely about what we could do to impact our local community and abroad. Might you have some ideas you’d like to share? What are you doing locally? How are you impacting the lost globally? What resources are you using? What is working for you? What is not working for you? If you had unlimited resources, what might you consider as part of your core program? Have you read articles or books that would be helpful to this discussion?
I would love to hear from you.
Kent Copley
Locally…there are a number of ministries happening. We have an annual event/outreach to help those who have less in life. We are involved with other local churches in a benevolent ministry, a community meal, teen crisis pregnancy center, and a few other ministries here and there. In addition, we put on an annual Christmas program that isoutreach focused. We encourage our people to view themselves as missionaries where they live, work and play. I would say we are good at many things, but not great at a few. Generally our church is viewed as a light in the community, and if our church didn’t exist, the community would likely feel the loss.
Globally…typically some +35-50% of our tithes and offerings is designated to missions, with the largest portion going to GCF and CAMA. Our kids and youth programs support, financially and prayerfully, a C&MA international work in Africa. Our adults have embraced another C&MA Creative Access work in Central Asia as a Pastoral Care Partner. We regularly pray for and keep in touch with many other global international workers.
There is much more to say about each of these areas, but this is the heart of it. So back to the questions I have for you. Recently, I have been given the “green light” to cast vision and establish goals for our efforts in missions. We want to think differently and uniquely about what we could do to impact our local community and abroad. Might you have some ideas you’d like to share? What are you doing locally? How are you impacting the lost globally? What resources are you using? What is working for you? What is not working for you? If you had unlimited resources, what might you consider as part of your core program? Have you read articles or books that would be helpful to this discussion?
I would love to hear from you.
Kent Copley
- David Manske likes this
