Thanks for challenging us, Alan. In some ways, I wish the challenge were more stern, but perhaps this is the best way. Everyone is different. =)
Two thoughts, working backwards chronologically.
First, on the topic of tithing. I have felt for a long time that we church-going Americans dwell to long on how to build up and "beautify" places of worship, grow in size or take on new building projects. I wonder to myself, are those objectives really more important than reaching out to the needy around us? Alan's numbers, 2% of 2% going overseas, is a blatant indication of where our priorities are, and I think a very similar picture could be painted of the homeless and downtrodden in our very own community. And based on the message, the idea is not to give money like the Pharisees did, but to see the people around us, the "sinners", as Jesus sees them.
Second, Alan's little story of how InterVarsity (and perhaps other groups, churches) were sorely missing from Civil Rights movements; again, does that say something about our priorities? How involved is the church, or even TCBC, is social issues? Do we even know what the social issues are in Champaign/Urbana?
Please know that I fully realize I have big huge honking log in my eye - I am by no means perfect, and I cast my finger-wagging judgement upon myself. Hence my use of "us" and "we".
In my opinion, there is too much church "stuff" to do; we get a bit overprogrammed, and it some sense, it feels good. Nobody wants to get out of their comfort zone. But I think we need to. I am trying not to put any particular person on the spot, but there is at least one in our church who has a whole list of ways to get involved in our community. Perhaps that list will make its way up to tcbc.cc sometime soon. =) Was that a subtle enough hint?
Just some thoughts. Trying to get these online discussions going.....
Subtle hint noted, Charles. Actually, John created a volunteer opportunity system about six months ago, we just haven't gotten it populated and integrated into the site, yet. Will do soon -- probably even sooner than soon once I listen to Allen's message I missed!
I don't know if that hint was directed at a certain web designer or not...but it got me thinking. I'm assuming by "our community" you mean C-U, not TCBC. (If not, I'm going in an entirely different direction) We could put together a list of places / ways to volunteer in the community, with links to web sites if those places have them, and post them on the social action page. It could include ways to serve at places like empty tomb, with the ministry to the C-U homeless population that the Savoy United Methodist Church participates in, among other churches in town, etc. This would help provide a list of ways to "move out" and serve in the community. I think it would be a cool addition to our social action page, and a good resource for our congregation.
Funny how I can be ambiguous and yet instill a slight sense of "prevokation" in multiple people. =) Jason, looking forward to seeing that volunteer system. Yes, Erika, I meant "our community" to mean C-U. I actually went hunting for the Social Action page; it is in dire need of more information. =) I have spoken with representatives at Savoy United Methodist (SUMC) and they have a very organized, very visible method of communication going on. Not to mention that their ministries are impacting the "local community" as well. I am not saying we should be just like them (I do not believe in cookie cutters). I know from personal experience it is hard to head out on your own to go do something - much easier to go as a group. If folks can find such groups that already active, all the better!
After writing that last post, I e-mailed Jaime Olson to see if such a list for our social action page was something she'd be interested in. She said the social action committee has come up with this same idea and is hoping to organize such a list by hours per week/every other week/month so that people could search for the time commitment they can offer and see what's available. She said it may take her a while to generate this type of content though. In the mean time, you're right, our social action page is really lacking in the content department. But if our desire is to be an influencing church that's moving out, I think this is a page of our site that needs attention, and a list of ways to help in the community is a critical piece of information on that page.
After having covered Savoy for approx. two years, I really appreciate the model of Savoy UMC. They are the most outward-focused church I've ever witnessed. I agree that we shouldn't copy what they are doing, but they are certainly an inspiration for everyone else. And I like how people from other churches can volunteer to help at things like their ministry to the homeless, while contributing to the good of the greater C-U community at the same time.
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Thanks for challenging us,
Thanks for challenging us, Alan. In some ways, I wish the challenge were more stern, but perhaps this is the best way. Everyone is different. =)
Two thoughts, working backwards chronologically.
First, on the topic of tithing. I have felt for a long time that we church-going Americans dwell to long on how to build up and "beautify" places of worship, grow in size or take on new building projects. I wonder to myself, are those objectives really more important than reaching out to the needy around us? Alan's numbers, 2% of 2% going overseas, is a blatant indication of where our priorities are, and I think a very similar picture could be painted of the homeless and downtrodden in our very own community. And based on the message, the idea is not to give money like the Pharisees did, but to see the people around us, the "sinners", as Jesus sees them.
Second, Alan's little story of how InterVarsity (and perhaps other groups, churches) were sorely missing from Civil Rights movements; again, does that say something about our priorities? How involved is the church, or even TCBC, is social issues? Do we even know what the social issues are in Champaign/Urbana?
Please know that I fully realize I have big huge honking log in my eye - I am by no means perfect, and I cast my finger-wagging judgement upon myself. Hence my use of "us" and "we".
In my opinion, there is too much church "stuff" to do; we get a bit overprogrammed, and it some sense, it feels good. Nobody wants to get out of their comfort zone. But I think we need to. I am trying not to put any particular person on the spot, but there is at least one in our church who has a whole list of ways to get involved in our community. Perhaps that list will make its way up to tcbc.cc sometime soon. =) Was that a subtle enough hint?
Just some thoughts. Trying to get these online discussions going.....
Subtle hint noted, Charles.
Subtle hint noted, Charles. Actually, John created a volunteer opportunity system about six months ago, we just haven't gotten it populated and integrated into the site, yet. Will do soon -- probably even sooner than soon once I listen to Allen's message I missed!
I don't know if that hint was
I don't know if that hint was directed at a certain web designer or not...but it got me thinking. I'm assuming by "our community" you mean C-U, not TCBC. (If not, I'm going in an entirely different direction) We could put together a list of places / ways to volunteer in the community, with links to web sites if those places have them, and post them on the social action page. It could include ways to serve at places like empty tomb, with the ministry to the C-U homeless population that the Savoy United Methodist Church participates in, among other churches in town, etc. This would help provide a list of ways to "move out" and serve in the community. I think it would be a cool addition to our social action page, and a good resource for our congregation.
Funny how I can be ambiguous
Funny how I can be ambiguous and yet instill a slight sense of "prevokation" in multiple people. =) Jason, looking forward to seeing that volunteer system. Yes, Erika, I meant "our community" to mean C-U. I actually went hunting for the Social Action page; it is in dire need of more information. =) I have spoken with representatives at Savoy United Methodist (SUMC) and they have a very organized, very visible method of communication going on. Not to mention that their ministries are impacting the "local community" as well. I am not saying we should be just like them (I do not believe in cookie cutters). I know from personal experience it is hard to head out on your own to go do something - much easier to go as a group. If folks can find such groups that already active, all the better!
After writing that last post,
After writing that last post, I e-mailed Jaime Olson to see if such a list for our social action page was something she'd be interested in. She said the social action committee has come up with this same idea and is hoping to organize such a list by hours per week/every other week/month so that people could search for the time commitment they can offer and see what's available. She said it may take her a while to generate this type of content though. In the mean time, you're right, our social action page is really lacking in the content department. But if our desire is to be an influencing church that's moving out, I think this is a page of our site that needs attention, and a list of ways to help in the community is a critical piece of information on that page.
After having covered Savoy for approx. two years, I really appreciate the model of Savoy UMC. They are the most outward-focused church I've ever witnessed. I agree that we shouldn't copy what they are doing, but they are certainly an inspiration for everyone else. And I like how people from other churches can volunteer to help at things like their ministry to the homeless, while contributing to the good of the greater C-U community at the same time.
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