What is the OUTSIDE of your refrigerator used for?    If your is like mine, it serves as a "grapevine" of important information.  When I have a message I want to make sure Linda (or one of the kids gets if they're visiting), I use the magnet to attach the note to the handle - a sure place it will be noticed.  When we have something we want to make sure we know where we can find it in a hurry, it is hung on the refrigerator Checks for the church, bills to be paid, important pictures of the family, invitations to events,  the church bulletin and newsletter (when they were hard copy), notes from people and the school that MUST be dealt with, weekly calendars, grocery lists -- ANYTHING important is always posted there for the family to review, know about, comment, and deal with it as appropriate.

The story is told of a family who used the refrigerator door to post the "house rules" for the children.  In that home, one of  the house rules was that no one could say, “Shut up.”  The mom thought it wise to post a warning on the fridge.  She drew a large red circle with the words, Shut up, written in the center.  Across the words she drew a bold slanted line marking the words out.

One afternoon when friends of her children were playing at their home, she overheard a visiting child say, “Shut up.” Quick as a wink, both her children said, “You can’t say that!”  “Why?” the visiting child asked.  “Because our refrigerator says so!" was their reply.

They’d learned the valuable lesson of respecting and obeying authority.  As God’s children we’re expected to imitate Him with our speech.  We can’t know His words unless we study the Bible.  Review Scripture with others.  Seek their counsel, as you would with family—for we are all in the family of God.

And - of course, we need to be obedient to the words that are found in His Bible - our guidebook for daily living.  We are to obey God above ALL others.  This world - and even people close to us - might be accepting of things that are contrary to the Word of God.  But we - as followers of the Living Christ, MUST be obedient to our Lord.  A lack of obedience is SIN.

Pray today that in word and deed, we will honor and please our Heavenly Father.  And - that as we go - in obedience to Hios command to His peope, we will make disciples!

• 980 people UNDER 22
• 1680 people between 22 - 30
• 1960 people between 31 - 51
• The above groups represent the people that are pretty sparse in our church (and neighboring churches within that 5-mile circle)
  
• 1540 people are in MY age group in the community (52 - 69)
• 840 people are over the age of 70 in my community
• The average age in my community is 40.4 years of age

     TRULY, "the fields are white unto harvest."  Pray with me that God will awaken our people to at least pray for the segments of people that are NOT in our churches.  Pray that we will be willing to sacrifice our convenience, personal preferences, and traditions for the sake of reaching the lost of our community.

4.  What are some of the obvious needs in my community?

• 44% of the homes with children in my community are led by single parents (8% by single dads)
• More than 1 out of every 5 adults did NOT graduate from high school
• More than 1900 adults have NEVER married and more than 1300 are divorced or widowed

    Pray with me that my church will look to the obvious needs of our community and determine ways we might need to minister to the special needs that exist within our mission field surrounding our church.  There are particular needs that arise when parents are trying to “do it all alone,” and the local church might be able to help in tangible ways that vividly display the love of God.

5.  What are some of the most common household concerns in my community?

     This is an area God has convicted me to pray about - we seem to be pretty content on programs and events that serve us well.  I do not think we are unique in that respect.  I pray I am willing to be flexible/fluid/moldable and willing to give up self to accomplish God’s purpose.  I think this answer comes in a two-fold “view” of my community:

1.        Among the people that are looking for a church in my community, what are THEY looking for in a church:

a.       Bible study and prayer groups
b.      Personal/Family counseling
c.       Spiritual retreats
d.      Divorce Recovery
e.      Spiritual development

2.       Among the TOP concerns (higher than the national average) in the households of my community are:

a.       Finding a good church/spiritual teaching

b.      Problems in school

c.       Teen/child problems

d.      Divorce and abusive relationships

e.      High level of concern about the “basics” of life – food, housing, jobs, “getting by.”

      Truly, we are to be beacons of light to our communities.  That means we must be sensitive to the real needs of the people in the shadow of our steeples (and their greatest need is Jesus).  To ignore their need is to NOT be a reflection of the Loving Christ we profess to serve.

6.  What is my church doing to more effectively minister to the needs of the people that live in my community/do not have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus?

     I guess I answered that question above.  But it is a real question worthy of our answering.  What are we doing right now to reach people for Christ?  What will we do in the days ahead? 

7.  What is God saying to ME personally as a next step in obedience to the call of God to be a good and faithful witness?

     As I shared with the people in the 2 prayer services I attended yesterday, it needs to begin in ME.  I can cast blame on everyone else, but God is revealing these realities to ME.  Therefore, God expects ME to respond to these needs.  To NOT be obedient to the revelation and command of God is sin!

If you do not have the answers to these questions for your community/church, then contact me.  With 3 or 4 clicks on my computer, I can supply you the answers.  PRAY FERVENTLY that God will lead you to minister in His name to the hurting and lost people around you.

In one of the services yesterday, someone mentioned that they were not comfortable in making "cold calls," reaching out to complete strangers.  True - many people do not know the names of their neighbors.  The person said she and her husband have determined they were going to begin to call people - beginning with the people in their church that are not currently attending.  Though that is great, let me throw out another idea (as I did to her).  Why not consider calling all your "neighbors?"

If you do not know their names, perhaps I can help you with that as well.  Through the Mapping Center, we have access to a database that is supposed to be current within 90 days with the names, address (street by street), along with many phone numbers.  As a beginning point, you could invite your neighbors - even though you do not know them - BY NAME to your church/events.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, you can begin to pray for your neighbors by name and begin to take note of the needs that exist in their lives as you drive by their homes.  I propose you pray for them as if they were lost people in need of Christ Jesus as Savior until you know different.  And when you know different, commit to work with them to reach your community for Christ.

If you are interested in reaching your communities and are not aware of the association's resources available to you, contact me at dougald@tarriverbaptist.com or call the office at 919-496-7172.  Yes - praise the Lord - our email server is back in operation!!!