3:61 – What Is Outreach?

#faithbites #faithjourney outreach

Today our church issued a call for a Pastor to focus on mission, outreach, and young adults. I have been honored to serve on this committee since August. This Pastor will be charged with helping our church to be disciples who create disciples, reaching out to all people.

During our discussion, I talked to someone about what does outreach even mean? Who are we reaching out to? What is our purpose in reaching out? How do we know if we are successful? Finally, do they want us to reach out?

Outreach comes in many flavors and not all are successful. How do you define outreach?

Scripture

• How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? – Romans 10:14
• 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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:35-40

Reflection

Outreach in a nutshell us sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. How it is done can take many forms. As we see in Matthew, it can be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison. Not one of those say you are sharing the Bible. What you are doing is sharing Jesus love through your actions. It’s building the relationship first, by helping all those you see.

Outreach isn’t doing a once a year service project or shouting from the rooftops the verse of the day. It’s a lifelong commitment to building a discipling community through finding people of peace. It’s sharing the love of God in everything we do.

Successful outreach doesn’t have to mean you will get more people in the pews. It can mean, and should mean more people who know and have a personal relationship with Christ. That may mean more “butts in seats”, but more important is more “hearts to Christ”

As you look towards outreach, find the best way to share the gifts God gave you and help others find theirs.

Challenge

Think of outreach not as a job of a pastor or a religious leader, but of everyone. Find a way to help “the least of these” in finding Jesus. Understand that taking care of physical needs first can open the mind and spirit to spiritual healing.

Prayer

Father God, I pray for the people and ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church. Help our call be heard. Help the man chosen, listen to you and your plan for him. Know that we want to share your Grace across Bloomington and beyond. Be with us as we expand our church leadership to just that. Help all of us know what outreach means in our context and how to serve those around us. In Jesus name, Amen.