Church Programs- to be or not to be?

The loss of a program is not necessarily a loss to the church. It frees up members’ time. It frees up church leaders’ time. It cuts down on clutter. It allows you to redirect people’s efforts toward more valuable uses of their time, like loving and serving their non-Christian neighbors.


I love this quote found in THIS ARTICLE.   READ IT!  Some programs in the church are not all bad, but they can become too much!  Our church has been working itself to a simple church model and looking to be more family integrated.  When we cut out a program, it was hard for some people to let go of, but I think it was for the good of our church body and has encouraged the Fathers of our congregation to take responsibility for the spiritual growth of their children and not rely on the church and rewards to encourage scripture memory for example.  The end of the quote mentions redirecting efforts to serve their non-Christian neighbors.  That is something we had been talking about in our women's ministry last year focusing on Hospitality along with a talk about outreach at our women's retreat.  (This is where our church program of Women's Ministry has encouraged me and served me well.)  We decided to put together a Christmas Tea for women to host in their homes and invite their neighbors.  I signed up because I do a horrible job at reaching out and getting to know my neighbors.  I put Ellerbees in her stroller and we went to 12 houses in our immediate surroundings and passed out invitations to a night of coffee and fellowship at my house.  No one came, but that is not the point!  My neighbors now know that I care about them.  They know that "the house with the candles in the window" as one lady described it (remember this is christmas time- i don't always have candles in my windows), is a house that wants to know them and values them!  I was nervous about knocking on doors and putting myself out there, but the grace of God met me and I am hoping to do more things like this throughout the year 2012!  Maybe next time, someone will come!?  


What are some ways you have reached out to your neighbors to get to know them?