I can’t seem to get the hang of text-messaging, so I was intrigued to watch an Indiana pastor’s thumbs move wildly across his cell phone, typing text-coded phrases like “im pryg 4 u” or “u r HIS”! Many of his church members are young adults and youth, and texting is their key mode of correspondence. That pastor could have stayed in the rut of using a phone or e-mail like me, but, instead, made the effort to effectively communicate with his unique congregation. That pastor is not in a rut.
Diana DavisThe view from a rut is somewhat obstructed. It might be comfortable there, but little progress is made in a rut. We stay updated in our home and professional settings, but sometimes allow our church’s effectiveness to be stymied by obsolescence. If your Bible class or church is stuck in a rut, maybe it’s time to start something new! Here are five idea-starters for rut relief:
Start an off-site Bible study or worship for people who can’t come to church. Consider the nursing home, prison, fire department or truck stop.
Multiply your Sunday school class. Recruit an intern teacher to share teaching responsibilities, set a multiplication date, and invite newcomers. Celebrate the new class’s birth with a multiplication party.
Create a new ministry opportunity. Begin a GED or English-as-a-second-language class. Host a monthly businessmen’s luncheon or moms’ breakfast. Provide a community garden with individual plots for gardening. Prepare a homemade dinner for traveling carnival workers at your county fair. And as you minister to others, always share Jesus.
Make small updates for big impact. Update paint colors. Relocate classrooms, rearrange classroom furniture or upgrade equipment. Improve landscape. Modernize technology and allow “techies” to use their gifts in the church.
Start a new Sunday school class. How about a class for new parents, internationals, “nearlyweds,” newlyweds, young singles, new retirees or college students? Or begin a new class using a list of a targeted age group of inactive members.
Will a new Sunday school class help reach new people? Oh, yes! Does text-messaging allow that pastor to communicate more effectively with those young adults? Definitely! Paul said, “I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Our singular goal is to share Jesus with the lost. So get out of that rut. You’re going to love the view.
Davis’ new book, “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry,” is scheduled for June 2008 release.