tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2253529165034405240.post-65103702367756857632008-04-14T07:02:00.000-04:002008-04-14T07:02:00.000-04:00Initiating relationships is tough for me as well. I'm finally taking steps to get to know some neighbors. I walk my kid to the bus stop, and on the way back, I pray for my street. It's starting to show some blossoms that may turn into fruit...<BR/><BR/>The risks of living incarnationally. Hmm...<BR/><BR/>1. You might have a few stones thrown at you by those in the "inside" because you're not "preaching at" people when you meet them or giving them those wonderful "Are you sure you're saved" tracts immediately after introducing yourself. <BR/><BR/>We need to be willing to take a few of those shots and not worry what religious folks think...<BR/><BR/>2. Like you said, not including truth in with grace. That's a hard call. We can't expect people to change outside of Jesus, but they also need to know the cost of following Jesus, which includes repentance. It's a delicate process that we must approach with care, following God's leading.<BR/><BR/>Moving to a new town to plant a new church...<BR/><BR/>1. Follow God's leading--where in the community is He leading you to serve, who is He leading you to serve, etc. The church I host talked about this yesterday--we're going to serve at the local homeless shelter, and nobody wants to go... but they're willing to go serve where they're not comfortable because (in the words of a quickly maturing young Christian) "I'm sure Jesus wasn't too comfortable hanging up there [on the cross]."<BR/><BR/>2. Pray for the community immediately and regularly.<BR/><BR/>3. Talk with community leaders to get their take on the needs of the community.<BR/><BR/>4. Get to know some neighbors (something I'm doing now and should have done long ago).<BR/><BR/>5. Keep the calendar clear--from the start, put a limit on "insider" activities. They're needed, but look at most church's calendars--filled up, almost daily, with stuff for Christians, but very little for serving the community. From the start, carve out time for serving the community.<BR/><BR/>6. This last one may sound weird, but drive a school bus. My father (not a church planter, but a Christian) has driven a bus for 35 years. He is one of the most recognized people in the community, and has a lot of influence with the kids he takes to school, and he knows all of the parents. That's <I>hundreds</I> of contacts every week for 9+ months a year, with only 2 hours of time a day, and good benefits. I've been thinking about doing this for a while now, and am considering doing it.aaronsaufleyhttp://aaronsaufley.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com