To any faithful blog readers who may or may not exist out there, don't worry- I am not dead and I have not given up entirely on sharing what is going on. I have been out of town for a week, and then upon my return, immediately got the flu and have been bed-ridden for three days. Never fear, we are back in action. And the good news is, great things have been going on the whole time in our church body and in our local community!
We have continued our Tuesday night meals with the families at the homeless shelter, and it has been going so well! They continue to express how much it means to them to eat a home-cooked meal and to just sit and share with people who care to get to know them. Each week, they seem to become more accustomed to our presence as a group, as well as the recurring faces they are beginning to know and trust. One of the exciting parts of this weekly ministry is that the Lord is already beginning to provide more opportunities to get involved in these families' lives on a more intimate and consistent level. Angie, the lady who heads up the shelter, explained that many of the women in the home don't know how to cook and would love the opportunity to learn. As soon as I mentioned this idea, several women from Redeemer expressed interest in teaching the mothers and women to cook. We are also assembling a recipe book of all the meals we prepare each Tuesday, as well as other manageable meals. Recently, Angie expressed to me that the men in the shelter also desire some form of community and would be interested in meeting with men from Redeemer! How exciting! We are brainstorming ways for this to take form now. Also, one of the daughters in the shelter is getting ready to leave for college, which is an unbelievable first for her family and for the shelter! We are planning on helping her with school supplies, as well as throwing a Going Away Party! These are only some of the ideas that have been sprouting up from Tuesday night meals, and I am confident that many more will continue to come. It is so exciting to see how the Lord opens up the door for ministry and asks that we are faithful in obedience. It doesn't require outrageous feats of sacrifice, vast amounts of funds, or visions to solve major world issues. It requires simple obedience to reach out to those around us in everyday, personal ways and the faith to believe that the Lord will work through our feeble efforts. And YES, he is able to accomplish more than we could ever ask or imagine. Yes, he will continue to open up more and more opportunities to serve and to obey and to trust. Let's continue to take him at His Word, to offer ourselves as he leads, and to trust him to do what we know we cannot.
Consequently, we are in great need of more people to sign up to serve meals for this upcoming month, starting immediately! If you have not yet had the opportunity to serve on a Tuesday night, please try to make this a priority-not only will you be a blessing, but you will certainly come away blessed. If you have already had the privilege of serving, we would love for you to serve again! If you enjoyed it the first time, sign up again! Email me (dwight@rccbirmingham.org) or call me (336.831.4489)! Live purposefully today and seek the simple, small opportunities around you to serve and love!
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Like sheep without a shepherd
Here are two challenging passages to meditate on today. Pray that the Lord reveals new meaning in these passages and teaches us how this should affect our lives:
"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.' " Matthew 9:35-38
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean, because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:1-5
If anyone is interested in preparing and serving a meal some Tuesday night at the family homeless shelter, please let me know. Right now, we have it covered for two more weeks, through the month of March. However, from the start of April and on, there is no one signed up! So, if you have done it once and want to do it again, or if this is your first time, get involved!
"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.' " Matthew 9:35-38
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean, because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:1-5
If anyone is interested in preparing and serving a meal some Tuesday night at the family homeless shelter, please let me know. Right now, we have it covered for two more weeks, through the month of March. However, from the start of April and on, there is no one signed up! So, if you have done it once and want to do it again, or if this is your first time, get involved!
Friday, 6 March 2009
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, " Hebrews 12:2
Tuesday night felt somewhat like a short-term missions trip, except there wasn't a departure to somewhere thousands of miles away, it was just down the street from my house. Along with three others from church, I helped bring a home cooked meal to the Homeless Shelter. Immediately upon arrival kids were running to our arms and wanting to play. The families, five total, were more than welcoming, and easy to talk with during dinner. It occurred to me that being homeless is not always a lonely person sleeping under a bridge in a box, or a guy holding a sign on the side of the highway, like I so often imagine when I think "homeless". Rather, families that resemble those you stand in line with at the grocery store, or see playing at the park. My perspective on the poor continues to be challenged as I learn about what the Bible says and Jesus teaches. The moment I remember it's not me who can change their situation, is the moment prayer and hope for their future enters my heart, thus a series of dialogues with God begin, as if I had to remind Him of His power and strength. He reminds me He is able to do "more than we can ask or think according to the power at work within us," [Ephesians 3:20]. How amazing it is to be part of Christ's body and a testimony to the grace He showed us who "were once dead in our trespasses." The gospel came alive to me Tuesday night, more than words on a page, or a prayer, but a group of Christ followers extending mercy and kindness to strangers. Now my heart whispers salvation awaits, after listening to the young lady share her doubts and issues with Jesus. Understanding that each day for these families is the hope of redemption, I'm convicted in my own heart of searching for "deservers" of grace, wow. I would encourage everyone to pray specifically and fervently towards reaching these families with the love of Christ. Our goal isn't to be a group of "do-gooders", but to genuinely care and have compassion through Christ to each of these families. To conclude, two verses come to mind, one in which Jesus teaches from Matthew 25: 35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me," and the other that seems to be a lot like the greatest command from Jesus "love your neighbor as yourself", from [Hebrews 13:2] "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware." The best part about this is that they have "received us"[Matthew 10:40]in their home, the needs are endless, and friendships are on the horizon. It's not another outreach, it's the living out of what scripture has called us to do; become benefactors of God's kingdom, set the captives free,repair the broken places, and namely to "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,compassionate hearts,kindness,humility,meekness,and patience.." [Colossians 3:12] I'm so humbled and thankful, Amanda-Blake Coile
Tuesday night felt somewhat like a short-term missions trip, except there wasn't a departure to somewhere thousands of miles away, it was just down the street from my house. Along with three others from church, I helped bring a home cooked meal to the Homeless Shelter. Immediately upon arrival kids were running to our arms and wanting to play. The families, five total, were more than welcoming, and easy to talk with during dinner. It occurred to me that being homeless is not always a lonely person sleeping under a bridge in a box, or a guy holding a sign on the side of the highway, like I so often imagine when I think "homeless". Rather, families that resemble those you stand in line with at the grocery store, or see playing at the park. My perspective on the poor continues to be challenged as I learn about what the Bible says and Jesus teaches. The moment I remember it's not me who can change their situation, is the moment prayer and hope for their future enters my heart, thus a series of dialogues with God begin, as if I had to remind Him of His power and strength. He reminds me He is able to do "more than we can ask or think according to the power at work within us," [Ephesians 3:20]. How amazing it is to be part of Christ's body and a testimony to the grace He showed us who "were once dead in our trespasses." The gospel came alive to me Tuesday night, more than words on a page, or a prayer, but a group of Christ followers extending mercy and kindness to strangers. Now my heart whispers salvation awaits, after listening to the young lady share her doubts and issues with Jesus. Understanding that each day for these families is the hope of redemption, I'm convicted in my own heart of searching for "deservers" of grace, wow. I would encourage everyone to pray specifically and fervently towards reaching these families with the love of Christ. Our goal isn't to be a group of "do-gooders", but to genuinely care and have compassion through Christ to each of these families. To conclude, two verses come to mind, one in which Jesus teaches from Matthew 25: 35 "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me," and the other that seems to be a lot like the greatest command from Jesus "love your neighbor as yourself", from [Hebrews 13:2] "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware." The best part about this is that they have "received us"[Matthew 10:40]in their home, the needs are endless, and friendships are on the horizon. It's not another outreach, it's the living out of what scripture has called us to do; become benefactors of God's kingdom, set the captives free,repair the broken places, and namely to "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,compassionate hearts,kindness,humility,meekness,and patience.." [Colossians 3:12] I'm so humbled and thankful, Amanda-Blake Coile
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
R.A. Luncheon Tomorrow!
Hey, just a quick reminder to everyone that tomorrow afternoon is the monthly Restoration Academy luncheon! PLEASE try to come if you can- it starts at 12 and only lasts an hour, so it can be a long lunch break. They provide a complimentary meal and explain the heart and vision of the school and where the Lord is leading it recently. Several students usually share a testimony of how the school has impacted their lives and you also get to meet many other people who are investing in the Fairfield community and school. If you have never had a chance to attend one of these luncheons, I highly recommend it and am more than willing to either carpool with people, give you a ride, give directions or more info, etc... If you cannot make this one, keep in mind that they have one the first Thursday of each month. Hope to see you there!
Monday, 2 March 2009
Redeemer at the Family Homeless Shelter in Woodlawn
Last Tuesday night we were so thankful to be able serve alongside the Kling's and Dwight for our first week of making dinner at the family homeless shelter in Woodlawn. It was a wonderful evening, and we are looking forward to continuing to serve there and really get to know the families. We just wanted to share with you some practical things we learned, as the "guinea pigs," as well as what the Lord has been doing in our hearts.
Tuesday night was awesome :) The kids are fabulous. So much fun. We found that we were so busy cooking that we didn't get to talk to the adults as much as we would have liked, so one practical tip would be to prepare the food ahead of time so you can just heat it up there. Also, we love the idea of getting to offer them a nutritious home-cooked meal, because that's not really something they get very often. So the more good 'ol comfort food the better! Steph brought brownies and ice cream sundaes and that it was SO fun and special for the kids. Be sure also to bring drinks, maybe juice or milk because I think they get a lot of crazy colored cool aid.
On to the heart stuff. It was really cool to experience such conviction after Joel's sermon on Sunday, and then be able to take little baby steps of faith into putting that into action on Tuesday. The biggest thing that hit me about Joel's sermon was when he talked about how when one person serves in extraordinary ways, we have a tendency to point to that person, label them as "extraordinary," and I know in my case, often think "wow, that's amazing that they serve like that, but I don't think I really have it in me." We write it off as personality thing. Not only do we use it as an excuse as to why we don't or "can't" serve like that, we also miss giving the glory to God. BUT when an entire community, a body of believers, begins to give their lives to serve others, people are pointed to see God as the one who transforms hearts and compels us to serve and love. And believers are encouraged to take part in what God is doing.
Our prayer is that the Lord would so transform Redeemer Community Church, and make us a people whose lives are given to loving and serving Christ, and as a inseparable part of that, to loving and serving the poor. That we would not just dabble in service projects, but really form deep relationships with the poor and let their lives become intertwined with our own. A level of involvement that is potentially messy, inconvenient, and dangerous, but that has deep roots in the gospel and in the love of Christ who gave his life, not just in his death, but in the way he shared his life on earth with sinners, prostitutes, widows, orphans, and beggars--and calls us to do the same.
In serving the people at the home on Tuesday, our hearts were to simply to begin the process of forming relationships. It was peaceful and fun. We played with awesome, beautiful, hilarious kids. Chatted with adults. Listened to stories. Knowing that the aim was to be obedient to serve and form relationships in which to love these people over time, we were really freed up from the pressure to "hit 'em with the gospel." Our hope is that we will be able to built trust over time as they see us coming back, and that the gospel would be communicated meaningfully and naturally in that context.
Talking about all of this in our community group, we discussed that since not everyone can go every Tuesday night, we could potentially drop by and bring cookies or something whenever we can on other nights. After all, they are our neighbors! Dwight just called the director of the home to check that out and she was thrilled! We are welcome any time to come by and hang out, bring dessert or not, and follow up with relationships that we're forming. She also let Dwight know that the people at the home have been raving about last Tuesday and ask about three times a day if we're coming back. There are already clear ideas emerging for how to further relationships with the people we met on Tuesday. Pray for us that we would be obedient as God calls us to continue walking in faith to serve. Above all, that we would look to Christ! We're praying for you all who are going tomorrow night, and in the next few weeks!
Love,
Elaine and Keith Davis
Tuesday night was awesome :) The kids are fabulous. So much fun. We found that we were so busy cooking that we didn't get to talk to the adults as much as we would have liked, so one practical tip would be to prepare the food ahead of time so you can just heat it up there. Also, we love the idea of getting to offer them a nutritious home-cooked meal, because that's not really something they get very often. So the more good 'ol comfort food the better! Steph brought brownies and ice cream sundaes and that it was SO fun and special for the kids. Be sure also to bring drinks, maybe juice or milk because I think they get a lot of crazy colored cool aid.
On to the heart stuff. It was really cool to experience such conviction after Joel's sermon on Sunday, and then be able to take little baby steps of faith into putting that into action on Tuesday. The biggest thing that hit me about Joel's sermon was when he talked about how when one person serves in extraordinary ways, we have a tendency to point to that person, label them as "extraordinary," and I know in my case, often think "wow, that's amazing that they serve like that, but I don't think I really have it in me." We write it off as personality thing. Not only do we use it as an excuse as to why we don't or "can't" serve like that, we also miss giving the glory to God. BUT when an entire community, a body of believers, begins to give their lives to serve others, people are pointed to see God as the one who transforms hearts and compels us to serve and love. And believers are encouraged to take part in what God is doing.
Our prayer is that the Lord would so transform Redeemer Community Church, and make us a people whose lives are given to loving and serving Christ, and as a inseparable part of that, to loving and serving the poor. That we would not just dabble in service projects, but really form deep relationships with the poor and let their lives become intertwined with our own. A level of involvement that is potentially messy, inconvenient, and dangerous, but that has deep roots in the gospel and in the love of Christ who gave his life, not just in his death, but in the way he shared his life on earth with sinners, prostitutes, widows, orphans, and beggars--and calls us to do the same.
In serving the people at the home on Tuesday, our hearts were to simply to begin the process of forming relationships. It was peaceful and fun. We played with awesome, beautiful, hilarious kids. Chatted with adults. Listened to stories. Knowing that the aim was to be obedient to serve and form relationships in which to love these people over time, we were really freed up from the pressure to "hit 'em with the gospel." Our hope is that we will be able to built trust over time as they see us coming back, and that the gospel would be communicated meaningfully and naturally in that context.
Talking about all of this in our community group, we discussed that since not everyone can go every Tuesday night, we could potentially drop by and bring cookies or something whenever we can on other nights. After all, they are our neighbors! Dwight just called the director of the home to check that out and she was thrilled! We are welcome any time to come by and hang out, bring dessert or not, and follow up with relationships that we're forming. She also let Dwight know that the people at the home have been raving about last Tuesday and ask about three times a day if we're coming back. There are already clear ideas emerging for how to further relationships with the people we met on Tuesday. Pray for us that we would be obedient as God calls us to continue walking in faith to serve. Above all, that we would look to Christ! We're praying for you all who are going tomorrow night, and in the next few weeks!
Love,
Elaine and Keith Davis
Need of a Physician
Luke 4:16-21
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.' "
Luke 5:27-32
"After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.' "
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.' "
Luke 5:27-32
"After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.' "
Monday, 23 February 2009
Is this not the fast that I choose? "(Is. 58:6)
Well, it is the start of a new week and after yesterday's message at church, I am both healthily convicted and excited about being intentional and responsive to the needs of those around me. If you were not able to be at church last night, Joel preached from Isaiah 58 about the fundamental responsibility of Christians to minister to the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, the orphans, the widows (you can listen to a podcast of the sermon here). In other words, we are to love and care for our neighbors as Christ did...and if we need clarification on who our neighbor is and what this looks like, go read Luke 10:25-37. One of the most vital parts of the message last night was the realization that such sermons and passages in Scripture should not guilt us into action. Guilt alone condemns and offers no framework for lasting, heartfelt change. Rather, we should reach out to the the poor and needy as a response to the Gospel. Our outreach and ministry should be an overflow of the mercy that Christ has extended to us, as we wallowed in our sins and had no merit or reason to be shown love and mercy. If we as Christians, if I as a wretched sinner saved by grace alone, allow this to sink in, we would have no problem at all extending this same mercy and love to "the least of these". And to keep in mind that this outreach is supposed to cost us, for giving something that costs us nothing is not true sacrifice. It may require stretching, discomfort, time, money, and many more ways of dying to self. I pray that the Lord will allow these truths to give us a holy conviction, and transform our hearts and lifestyles to more closely align with his.
Yesterday we had several more families and groups sign up to provide and share a meal at the Family Homeless Shelter on Tuesday nights. For more information about this weekly opportunity, read this. If you are interested in signing up for a Tuesday night, you can either leave a comment or email me at dwight@rccbirmingham.org. Right now, this is what the signup schedule looks like:
2/24: The Klings and Davis's
3/3: Eli, Ryan, Kate, Amanda Blake
3/10: The Brooks and deVilleneuves
3/17:
3/24:
3/31:
4/7:
4/14:
4/21:
4/28:
Have a great week and may we today embrace all that the Gospel means to us!
Yesterday we had several more families and groups sign up to provide and share a meal at the Family Homeless Shelter on Tuesday nights. For more information about this weekly opportunity, read this. If you are interested in signing up for a Tuesday night, you can either leave a comment or email me at dwight@rccbirmingham.org. Right now, this is what the signup schedule looks like:
2/24: The Klings and Davis's
3/3: Eli, Ryan, Kate, Amanda Blake
3/10: The Brooks and deVilleneuves
3/17:
3/24:
3/31:
4/7:
4/14:
4/21:
4/28:
Have a great week and may we today embrace all that the Gospel means to us!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Family Homeless Shelter
Well, as promised for some time, we finally have one of our first consistent ministry opportunities as a church! Over the past few weeks and months, I have been forming a relationship with a family homeless shelter located in Woodlawn. This shelter is a very unique ministry for several reasons: First, it is designed to specifically house families as a unit, which is very uncommon. In fact, this is the only shelter in Birmingham that allows families to stay together! Most places split up the men from the women for safety, space, and to deal with gender-specific issues. Additionally, many places cannot house children at all, which obviously creates a problem for parents. So, to start, this shelter offers the very rare blessing of allowing families to remain intact, as well as ministering to all family roles in the same place.
Another one of the main "pros" to this place is that it trains the families in life skills, in addition to offering a place to live. As I have been reading and studying about urban ministry, I have been learning about the absolute necessity of accomplishing something called empowerment instead of enablement. There are many, many organizations and ways to reach out to try to address the needs of those around us, but unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with most of these remedies is that they offer short-term solutions for deep, long-term problems. In a very real sense, they attempt to put a band-aide on a very deep, festering wound and expect everything to be better. However, the reality is, that while this is often a genuine attempt to reach out and to help, we really are not helping the heart of the issue. In fact, we often make the problems worse by creating a dependency amongst the poor and needy, where these acts of kindness are not only expected, but become a necessity for their survival. I admit that I have been part of such outreaches. And while these simple "acts of kindness" had some merit in them and made me feel better, they did little to help solve the greater issues. Therefore, the type of ministry that we want to be part of is one which seeks to go deeper-we want to help address the problems behind homelessness and poverty - Problems like poor money management skills, lackadaisical work ethic, lack of opportunity, and many more. Therefore, when you find an organization that goes beyond the surface, that doesn't just give a handout, but seeks to empower people to create life changes, it is a breath of fresh air! This shelter is one such organization. Each family that lives there stays for several months at a time, rather than a fly-by-night or occasional stay. They are put on a strict time-management schedule, the parent(s) must hold a steady job, and they must maintain appropriate lifestyle and conduct for their families and the house. Since all is provided at the shelter, they must save every penny they earn, thus allowing them to also pay off debt. All residents must participate in a communal dinner every night, to give their family some routine and interaction. All of these things are absolutely vital to help empower people to overcome their difficult problems rather than fall back into a cycle they soon cannot escape.
Since each family is required to all eat together every night, we want to take advantage of this opportunity. Every Tuesday night, we want a family or small group of individuals to prepare dinner for the residents, and then to spend meal with the families. Not only is this a great opportunity to feed these families a meal and for them to spend time together, but also for a family from our church to minister together, as a family, to families, in the least intimidating form. In this organic way, we can begin to form genuine relationships in a laid back, small group setting, with the hope of consistency. If some families or groups from our church commit to making this a regular occurrence, true relationships will form and Christ within us will become very evident.
We will begin this ministry next Tuesday, February 24th, and continue every Tuesday evening, so if you are interested in signing up for a certain week as a family or small group of individuals, please email Dwight (dwight@rccbirmingham.org)! We want to be faithful with what we start, and so have taken our time in choosing which ministries to take part in. Now, as we begin to introduce more ways to get involved, ask the Lord what part He wants you to play in being his hands and feet to those in need! We are so excited about how the Lord will work through this opportunity!
Another one of the main "pros" to this place is that it trains the families in life skills, in addition to offering a place to live. As I have been reading and studying about urban ministry, I have been learning about the absolute necessity of accomplishing something called empowerment instead of enablement. There are many, many organizations and ways to reach out to try to address the needs of those around us, but unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with most of these remedies is that they offer short-term solutions for deep, long-term problems. In a very real sense, they attempt to put a band-aide on a very deep, festering wound and expect everything to be better. However, the reality is, that while this is often a genuine attempt to reach out and to help, we really are not helping the heart of the issue. In fact, we often make the problems worse by creating a dependency amongst the poor and needy, where these acts of kindness are not only expected, but become a necessity for their survival. I admit that I have been part of such outreaches. And while these simple "acts of kindness" had some merit in them and made me feel better, they did little to help solve the greater issues. Therefore, the type of ministry that we want to be part of is one which seeks to go deeper-we want to help address the problems behind homelessness and poverty - Problems like poor money management skills, lackadaisical work ethic, lack of opportunity, and many more. Therefore, when you find an organization that goes beyond the surface, that doesn't just give a handout, but seeks to empower people to create life changes, it is a breath of fresh air! This shelter is one such organization. Each family that lives there stays for several months at a time, rather than a fly-by-night or occasional stay. They are put on a strict time-management schedule, the parent(s) must hold a steady job, and they must maintain appropriate lifestyle and conduct for their families and the house. Since all is provided at the shelter, they must save every penny they earn, thus allowing them to also pay off debt. All residents must participate in a communal dinner every night, to give their family some routine and interaction. All of these things are absolutely vital to help empower people to overcome their difficult problems rather than fall back into a cycle they soon cannot escape.
Since each family is required to all eat together every night, we want to take advantage of this opportunity. Every Tuesday night, we want a family or small group of individuals to prepare dinner for the residents, and then to spend meal with the families. Not only is this a great opportunity to feed these families a meal and for them to spend time together, but also for a family from our church to minister together, as a family, to families, in the least intimidating form. In this organic way, we can begin to form genuine relationships in a laid back, small group setting, with the hope of consistency. If some families or groups from our church commit to making this a regular occurrence, true relationships will form and Christ within us will become very evident.
We will begin this ministry next Tuesday, February 24th, and continue every Tuesday evening, so if you are interested in signing up for a certain week as a family or small group of individuals, please email Dwight (dwight@rccbirmingham.org)! We want to be faithful with what we start, and so have taken our time in choosing which ministries to take part in. Now, as we begin to introduce more ways to get involved, ask the Lord what part He wants you to play in being his hands and feet to those in need! We are so excited about how the Lord will work through this opportunity!
Friday, 13 February 2009
Recent Happenings
Well, I am finally back in town...and with a regular internet connection! It is so good to be back in Birmingham and to really dig into the relationships and ministry here. My last few days of catch-up have been very exciting and fruitful! Here are a few highlights:
-during my trip to L.A., I was able to visit a place called the Dream Center, a HUGE inner city ministry, and gain several contacts and ideas for ministry
-attended a Woodlawn Business Association meeting and met several people that I had been praying for opportunities to meet-isn't the Lord good?!
-spent more time building our relationship with the Family Homeless Shelter in Woodlawn, and nailed down how our church will be getting involved VERY soon!
-met another pastor from a local church
-went by Cornerstone Christian School in Woodlawn and was finally able to sit down with Nita Thompson, Executive Director and Principle, and Shannon Bottoms, Volunteer Coordinator, and finalize specifics with them as well!
-had a great meeting with Joel and Jeff, in which we narrowed down all of my "research and relationship building" and determined how we should get involved in the community
-met with Adam Keller, who is going to do his Beeson internship with Redeemer, and will be able to help out a lot with the urban ministry end of things
-the Lord provided an opportunity for me to do a small side project for a week or two for some extra income
Well, that's the main points from the last little bit! We are about to kick off a whole bunch of new ministries in the next week or two, so stay tuned for the new updates! I have been trying to upload a video of Ms. Ruthie (one of the ladies we were able to help during Focus on Fairfield) blessing us with her voice, but it won't work...I'll keep trying...
-during my trip to L.A., I was able to visit a place called the Dream Center, a HUGE inner city ministry, and gain several contacts and ideas for ministry
-attended a Woodlawn Business Association meeting and met several people that I had been praying for opportunities to meet-isn't the Lord good?!
-spent more time building our relationship with the Family Homeless Shelter in Woodlawn, and nailed down how our church will be getting involved VERY soon!
-met another pastor from a local church
-went by Cornerstone Christian School in Woodlawn and was finally able to sit down with Nita Thompson, Executive Director and Principle, and Shannon Bottoms, Volunteer Coordinator, and finalize specifics with them as well!
-had a great meeting with Joel and Jeff, in which we narrowed down all of my "research and relationship building" and determined how we should get involved in the community
-met with Adam Keller, who is going to do his Beeson internship with Redeemer, and will be able to help out a lot with the urban ministry end of things
-the Lord provided an opportunity for me to do a small side project for a week or two for some extra income
Well, that's the main points from the last little bit! We are about to kick off a whole bunch of new ministries in the next week or two, so stay tuned for the new updates! I have been trying to upload a video of Ms. Ruthie (one of the ladies we were able to help during Focus on Fairfield) blessing us with her voice, but it won't work...I'll keep trying...
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Focus on Fairfield Pics
Yay! I finally got to a good internet connection! As I said before, we had an incredible time at Focus on Fairfield this past Saturday. Over 40 people from Redeemer came out to help, which was a HUGE help and encouragement for everyone involved! We were able to help many families from the community, as well as several people from Restoration Academy. Thank you to all who took the time out of your busy schedules to come serve those in this community. Here are some pictures from Saturday. More to come in the following days...
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