Love It, Leave It, or Transform It, Part III

I moved here seven months ago. I moved from Dallas to Evergreen … quite a culture change. And it took seven months for me to get it. “Get what?” you ask. I purchased a Carhartt shirt. Yep, a brand I normally don’t have. You’ll find Lucky Jeans, Lacoste shirts, Kuhl hiking attire, Under Armor hoodies, Dan Post boots, and Converse All-Stars. But this is my first Carhartt. With so many ranches and farms in the area, it seems everywhere I look, people young and old are wearing this brand. Evergreen has left a mark on me. Now, will I leave a mark on Evergreen?

The church, not the building but the people of God, are to be so invested, so intwined, and so impactful on here community, that the church leaves its mark on everything around her. We are to be in the community in such a way that we leave a mark … but not just a mark for here and now, but a mark that impacts eternity.

So here are a few ways I think we can get out there and make a difference …

• Respect and interact others. Just respect people, say hello, be friendly, to all people in every scenario.
• Invest resources into areas of your community, this lets them know you put your money where your mouth is. Help sponsor post prom parties, support ministries like crisis pregnancy center or local food banks, and after school programs.
• Welcome new move-ins. Make sure they know you are glad they’ve come to your neck of the woods. Inviting them to church is part of this, but only part.
• Open your church to groups like homeschoolers, associational meetings etc. Make endeavors to make your building a much appreciated open and welcomed establishment. If they get comfortable coming for other things, maybe they’ll return for worship and getting involved themselves.
• Volunteer time … on a regular basis. There are plenty of sites to help you connect … volunteermatch.org or a local disaster relief team.
• Write positive reviews for local small businesses like restaurants and stores. Small shops and business owners are plugged in like no other. Show the you care.
• Spend time at the local nursing homes. This will change their lives and the lives of their families. Talk about their history, their stories, their lives.
• Tutor kids after school.
• Bake some cookies and share them … fire department, librarians, school clubs, nurses, neighbors.
• Babysit for single parents. Well, babysit the kids, not the parents.
• Leave a surprise in a library book. Imagine the surprise when a coffee shop gift card lights up a persons life when they open up a library book.
• Attend community meetings … town halls, board meetings, etc.
• Donate supplies to a classroom … helps the teacher and invests in kids lives.
• Get first aid certified … always ready when needed, but hopefully never needed.
• Help a neighbor … mow their lawn, weed their flower garden, walk their dog, fix a meal … just because.
• Let someone cut in front of you on line … this will boggle their mind.
• Shop local whenever possible.
• Recycle, clean a street, pick up trash at a park, and other beautification endeavors.
• Interact, interact, interact.

This type of impact will not happen if we stay inside our buildings. So get out and invest. And maybe wear your own Carhartt.

Have a great day.