Outreach

One of the Church’s first deacons was Stephen and six other men, chosen by the disciples. They focused on helping the poor, so that the disciples could devote themselves to “the Word of God and prayer.”

A church could make it easy for those who view online church to request prayer. That could be texting a certain phone number. Or you can refer them to a webpage where they can watch a promotional video for each of it prayer team members, so people can choose to pray with who they want. Similar could be done for each home group coordinator , whether online groups (eg. for parents) or socially-distant in-person groups.

Now is a time like no other for church deacons to revert to their original role. As you plan community outreach and church care, what are your deacons suggesting? And how is that reflected on your social media?

1. Many options here, here, here, and here

2. “This Thursday, Food Bank will be held at CVAG Church. To operate within health guidelines, the church will remain closed and volunteers will deliver groceries to vehicles one at a time.” (source) This one offers drive thru service with “food, cleaning supplies and paper goods” 1 Or some offer on a special day. 1

3. Serving Health care providers – options or send cards to nursing homes or hospital staff

4. Expanding food delivery to congregants, perhaps pet care services, and distributing books from your church library, audio books, etc. At least for your own congregants or if able, for others like here.

5. Create a tech lending library of iPads, old laptops, etc., for people who don’t have equipment. Have folks who can donate/loan (working) unused equipment that shut-ins, poorer folks can use to stay connected.

6. Chick-Fil-A for health providers and patients or sending care packages

7. Make masks for health care providers. 1, 2 or Where to deliver 1

8. Build a simple directory for the houses on their block (asking people to voluntarily share their name and email just with their immediate neighbors and something that will involve seniors not on Facebook). Then from this list the group could Check-in, share needs, volunteer to pickup groceries for those who can’t (meals, groceries), offer help with tutoring, etc. Make effort to help every home in neighborhood, and document on BlessEveryHome app. Match this with #ArtofNeighboring resources 1, 2

9. Viral kindness neighbourhood print-out – link  Love our street print-out  link Viral kindness postcard [print at home or professionally print] – link

10. Pray for and mentor others using inbound methods using https://tmm.io or Network_211

11. Find church ministry/outreach opportunities? For those outside our church? For those church members who contract the virus? What does Christian neighboring and servanthood toward the elderly, those with HIV, autoimmune disease, or no healthcare, fatigued and under-resourced healthcare workers, etc. look like? For example, you could find volunteers to manage a service hotline by setting up a phone number that the elderly and people with compromised immune systems can call for assistance. You could find volunteers who do any of the following: purchase supplies, care for dogs, and maintain house needs like changing bulbs and batteries.

12. Help non-English service pastors whose people may have more difficulty receiving and sharing information?

13. If schools shut down, how can our church help children and families with limited resources may rely on school meal programs as a significant source of food security? How to assist families whose income will or already has dropped quickly (for example, service jobs, travel industry)

14. You might also set up a special fund to handle benevolence opportunties.

15. Put up a social media post that features groups that meet prominent needs in your community. (sample)

Here’s a word on motivating your church for community service from Ed Stetzer.