Pressing forwards

This is a really exciting time for Kings Church. For many of us, it feels as if this 'new chapter' we have been living on the edge of for some time now is actually beginning. It's so exciting to be in the new building, and all the possibilities that it will open up. There are so many things I would like to use it for, but I don't want to run away with myself...we don't even have a completion certificate yet.

So what, I hear you cry, have I been doing in the mean time. Well, aside from redoing the church notice boards, picking up food for the launch event and painting the new hall, I have found some time for social outreach related activities!

My main focus at the moment is on small groups. If we really want our outreach into the community to be church wide, and not just done by a few selected individuals, then the best level to work at is small groups. The plan is that each small group will research into their own area and, with guidance, decide as a group what they want to do. So, maybe one group will want to go and visit the elderly in a local old peoples home, or help their neighbours with some shopping. Some may want to be more adventurous, and decide to make over a local park or provide a decorating service. It really is up to the group, and based on their interests and passions, combined with local need. Perhaps they will decide to carry out their activity one week a month, instead of small group. Or, for groups that have a little more time on their hands, they may pick another time of the week that works for them. This not only encourages everyone to get involved, but fosters a sense of group ownership. These are activities that people can really get involved in, excited about, and know that they personally are making a difference.

We are still a little while away from launching this, and so in the mean time I am trying to get ready. I am putting together resource packs for small group leaders, as well as a set of small group notes that we will introduce shortly. These will encourage the groups to get thinking of ideas, learn about why social and community outreach is important, and formulate a plan of action.
This is a plan that has been formulating in my head for quite some time now. I have so many thoughts and ideas, the challenge is to write small group notes that are as clear, inspiring, challenging and as informative as possible. They should leave the groups knowing that they must do something, forming ideas as to what they can do, and knowing how to go about it.

I am really excited about launching this. There are various other things we are looking into at the same time, mainly debt management and befriending the elderly, but this is a way of starting small, of trying new things, and really just getting stuck in. It's not about running a big centrally owned church project, but about each small group just getting out there, forming relationships, and serving their community. The bigger things will come in time.