Most people who know me are aware of the fact that I work for a ministry that serves pastors. I view our ministry as one that serves pastors, but ultimately a ministry that serves the church. Healthy pastors tend to have healthy churches – churches that are active in their communities serving people across demographic lines; churches that are outward focused and that are taking risks and going far beyond the traditional food pantry, rescue mission, etc. Absolutely nothing wrong with supporting food pantries and working at the local rescue mission. But what I find exciting is working with churches that are working in a state of controlled recklessness as they do new and “envelope pushing” ministries that serve people who are least considered and who always seem to fly below the radar.
I have noticed an unscientific correlation between churches that are doing amazing things in their communities and their ongoing commitment to living outside the church walls – These are churches that go out of their way to ensure that their budgets reflect this outward focus, and I don’t mean foreign missions. Foreign missions is important, I would never argue that – I worked for World Vision and World Relief, I have seen firsthand how much good is done in the lives of people that are living in underdeveloped areas.
What I am talking about here are the churches that have not allowed their neighbors to go unnoticed. They are not allowing their checkbooks to do the talking, they use their checkbooks to fund their personal involvement in their communities. Really good stuff.
I have been reading through a book by Ron Sider that offers up some great examples of churches that are doing significant ministry that fits and lifts up their communities. If you have an interest in outward focused ministry that fits every size gathering of Believers you might want to have a look at Ron’s book. You can find it at Amazon. If you do buy books through Amazon, it would be great if you went to our ministry’s website at we have a partnership with Amazon where every book that is ordered through our website provides a donation to Pastors Retreat Network. Enjoy the book!
Watters Words 