Leadership Network

August 8, 2006 | Issue #31

Externally focused churches want less talk and more action outside the walls. Large service events can serve as a catalyst for changing a church’s culture from an internal to external focus. The following six service events served as springboards to that type of shift in six churches profiled below. For more information on planning successful large-scale service events, download a free copy of Six Catalytic Service Approaches: Taking First Steps through Great Days of Service from Leadership Network’s online library of resources.

Two Hours that Make a Difference
Pantano Christian Church in Tucson, AZ, (www.pantanochristian.org) coordinates two hours of service annually called Serve Tucson. More than 600 people were involved in 2005. Projects completed during this short burst of serving included:

	Offering free car washes
	Handing out bottled water at major intersections
	Putting quarters in washers and dryers at local laundromats
	Handing out popsicles at parks and recreation events
	Visiting nursing homes

Dave White, pastor of community empowerment missions, says volunteer leadership is key. "Events are organized by project with a project manager overseeing up to 10 locations," Dave says.

Empowering Small Groups for Service
Fellowship Bible Church North in Richardson, TX, (www.fbcnorth.org) designed its Love Collin County effort through a strong small group culture. Glen Brechner, adult ministries pastor says, "Each project had a point person and a number of small groups at that project." In 2005, 800 people were involved in the following projects:

	Cleaning up a city park
	Filing and volunteering at a local medical clinic

FBCN members striping a parking lot at a museum project

	Painting and remodeling at a local Boys and Girls Club
	Participating in a local museum renovation

"This one day of service is an opportunity to build momentum for bridge-building . . ."

Encouraging Those with the Gift of Giving
The 2006 regional Generous Giving Conference, "Life that Is Truly Life," is scheduled for Thursday to Saturday, October 19-21, 2006, in Stevenson, WA (near Portland, OR). Speakers include Rick Warren, Luis Palau, Randy Alcorn, Marva Dawn, and David H. Wills...

57 Million Blog Readers
The blogging (weblog) population has grown to about 12 million American adults or 8% of adult Internet users, according to a July 19 report from The Pew Internet & American Life Project. The number of blog readers has jumped to 57 million, or 39% of the online population. Of those who blog, 64% share practical knowledge or skills with others. "My life and experiences" is the most common primary blog topic (37%).

U.S. Population Heading to 420 Million by 2050, Mostly by Immigration
The U.S. is the fastest growing industrialized nation in the world, adding about 2.8 million people a year (a fertility rate of 2.05), according to a story by the Associated Press.

With its stated mission to be "a catalyst for a movement of reproducing churches relentlessly dedicated to helping people find their way back to God," www.newthing.org offers resources, events and coaching in multi-site ministry and church planting.

Included among upcoming events for the group, which is a teaching church affiliate of Leadership Network, is "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Multi-Site" (Sept. 9-10, 2006 and Nov. 4-5, 2006) and the New Thing Practicum (Oct. 23-24, 2006) in Naperville, IL.