Michelle Swift
Worship Leader
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
authentic outreach
I love that our church has made "Authentic Outreach" one of it's four primary focuses. It is amazing what it can do for you when you are able to look outside yourself and focus on the needs of others. It really makes for a healthy christian. We were never intended to take, take, take all the time and never give. As we all know, we can't eat, eat, eat and never exercise. It makes us unhealthy individuals. Yes, we may function normally, but are we functioning to our fullest capability. Apply this to the church and to yourself. We can't be so "fat" on the gospel because we are not exercising our faith, therefore completely ineffective. In order to be a church that is functioning to it's fullest potential, we must be reaching out to those around us and making a difference. An authentic difference.
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3 comments:
I love the health side of it that you took. It is good to be healthy inside and out. Great words!!
Just like exercise and dieting, I suppose, it will take discipline to change habits that we have formed over the years. Like, taking time out of our days to simply listen to one another - even when we can't think of something to say in reply.
A co-worker just stopped by my cubical and told me all about these amazing drawings her daughter made. She is so proud of her 6 year old. The way she described the imagination put into the artwork, I am certain her little girl is an artistic genius!
I still don't know what the purpose of our conversation was-I was even sort of tempted to treat it as a distraction-but I know she enjoyed just being heard and now I know a little more about a special young girl who means the world to my co-worker.
I know-that makes me sound so insensitive, doesn't it? I guess I just don't listen enough...I get too wrapped up trying to figure out what to say! Perhaps then, "Authentic Outreach" can be as simple as changing your plans, going out of your way to be attentive to somebody in your life.
Great Word Michelle and like the honesty Kirk!
Time is definitely our most valuable commodity and therefore the most difficult to give away.
A cup of coffee and an attentive ear that is free of distractions can be a powerful strategy for outreach!
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