Should Community Service be Random?
Random acts of kindness tend to be the default for new churches working to connect with their community. I have done my share– free car washes, store front hot dog roasts. I wonder how “random” lines up with the Biblical models? Was Jesus encounter with the woman at the well random? Did the multiplying of the bread and fishes for the multitude happen as a happy accident? What about the admonitions that we should serve “soberly” as our “reasonable worship” based on the faith and gifts given to us (Romans 12)?
While random service does open the opportunity for divine appointments, and it is exciting as an adventure–does it teach our team that God’s plan for our impact on the community is a complete mystery, or even worse that there is no plan at all? I think that perhaps using our gifts outside the safe confines of the church is plenty of adventure all by itself. When we view it only as a random act, not something to be sustained or thoughtfully planned, we miss the point that our giftedness is actually part of the creative design to transform our community.
What if our acts of service could be careful (soberly, as Romans 12 describes) considered, so that they match up our unique gifting and calling with the special needs of the city around us? What if we could assess the opportunities for meaningful service and line them up with our talents, calling and the gift package comprised of our combined uniqueness? Its really a simple process, and is already an established and accepted part of the community– its called community needs assessment.
While random may be macho– it may not be Godly.
Put simply, needs assessment is a 8 step team process that takes our entire plant team into the community to listen. We return from surveys and interviews with deeper insight into our community, a more equipped team, and the ability to walk the path of intentional service. And instead of accidental progress, we intentionally build both relationships and focus.
Exploring God’s design for us shouldn’t just be a random trek through an uncharted wilderness. Random service is like flying the starship Enterprise with all the sensors turned off– that’s a good way to fly into a planet. If we are planning and developing the rest of our new church on purpose, then wouldn’t we also want to build our community service and outreach with intention and focus?
Next needs assessment training: June 2 and 3 in Burlington NJ. Email me if you are interested in attending