Apostolic Truth

From

Guest Teachers

The Relevant Church

by: Apostle Victor Nazario

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Relevant

To be connected with the matter at hand; to be suitable or fitting in a given situation.

Irrelevant

To have no value in a given situation

In order for Churches and Ministries to be Relevant we must be advancing the Kingdom of God and not be neutral concerning the area we are located in. We are to be “forceful people who take it by force”. We are to be bridge builders between God and man. We are to be “Salt and Light” in our communities and cannot be so if we are not outside the doors of the building reaching into the community. We have always had the mindset praying, “Lord, send them in”. He wants us to “go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in”. That’s quite a different approach.

Things churches can do to become

more sensitive of their perception from the outside:

1.      Prepare a series of surveys that will give you insight into the felt needs and concerns of others:

    a.       From your visitors

    b.      From the church members

    c.       From the youth 

    d.      From the community you are a part of

2.      You can also hire an outside firm to assess your ministry which will show you your strengths and weaknesses and suggest areas of change.

3.      Be brutally honest and truthful with yourselves. Let the things which have to die, die. These would be outdated ministries, etc. and then consider new forms of outreach.

4.      Communicate with local businesses/families as you prayer walk. Ask them what would they need prayer for. Follow up with them from time to time.

5.      Become aware of changing faces… which cultures are in your community and which ones are entering or leaving. Then learn about these cultures and highlight their distinctions and strengths in order for them to feel welcome when you approach them or they visit you.

6.      Find out what are the needs in your community. Are you addressing them?

Practicing the Ministry of presence…

2 Corinthians 10:13    God desires us to affect our regions or “sphere of influence”.

1.      Prepare ministry with special times of prayer and prayer walks through the neighborhood.

2.      Establish communication with community leaders and the businesses there.

3.      Organize an ministry team dedicated to interact with city or town offices and establish relationships with various local organizations.

4.      Organize social services that would benefit everyone in your community

    a.       Educational training

    b.      Child care/summer programs

    c.       Sports programs

5.      Find out which civic and CDC organizations are in your community and partner with them.

    a.       Seek out those who are doing exceptional things in your community and create    an award/dinner in honor of said person.

    b.      Get involved in local public school board.

    c.       Get involved in local community board.

    d.      Connect with P.A.L.

    e.       Create a health day with health organizations.

6.      Create a yearly neighborhood block celebration with various outreaches.

7.      Do “press” conferences for important issues to let the community know you are there for them. 

We are the evangelical voice in Pharaoh’s court…

1.   The Daniels

2.   The Josephs

3.   The Jabez’s who bring others out of pain

    a.       Those who are on drugs

    b.      Those whom can’t read

    c.       Those who don’t have jobs 

Being relevant in the midst of tragedies such as 9/11:

1.      Set up local/community memorial services with other churches/organizations. Find out families who suffered loss and minister to them.

2.      To minister to police officers visit during the local precinct Roll call to pray for them.

3.      Become a conduit of provision for families. Have all necessary phone numbers and referral information.

4.      Get certified by Red Cross to serve alongside the city.

5.      Create an inexpensive monthly newsletter for the community and give them updates on various topics that interest them.

6.      Find out what regional and national organizations are offering for outreach and call them and get those resources and hand them out. (i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ; American Bible Society).