I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. – 1 Corinthians 1:10
The idea of community comes from the sense of responsibility we have for each other. In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of our brethren while following the word of the Lord. You must remember the importance of maintaining the connection with our fellow man to ensure a thriving community. Churches in Alexandria VA need to know the community surrounding them.Below are tips on how churches can reach out beyond their walls with worship, community events, ministries, and service.
Churches can help the homeless
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31
Are there homeless people in your community? Find out. Giving is another great way to help, however, unless the Lord directs you, don’t give money directly to the homeless. Cash gifts are often used to buy drugs and alcohol. Instead, make your donations to a well-known, reputable organization in your community. Many shelters and soup kitchens also welcome contributions of food, clothing and other supplies.
Churches can have a community clean up
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.Psalm 51:10
Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Local churches can organize a neighborhood cleanup drive. This is a great to do that will make your neighborhood a better place to live.For a community cleanup to be successful, it must be well-planned. From picking the right project to recruiting enough volunteers, putting together an effective event takes effort.
Churches can have a community cookout
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”John 6:35
Hosting a community cookout is fun! Churches can incorporate bounce houses, obstacle courses, kids’ games and of course great food for such an event. Don’t forget to have inspirational music that will feature choirs, soloists and local artists. Since this is free, there will be a great chance to get to know further the members of the community.
Churches can have a carwash
“The one to be cleansed shall then wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe in water and be clean Now afterward, he may enter the camp, but he shall stay outside his tent for seven days. “It will be on the seventh day that he shall shave off all his hair: he shall shave his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair. He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean. Leviticus 14:8-9
You will often come across car wash fundraisers, but you will rarely see people holding up signs that say “Free Car Wash!” By offering free car wash services, you can brighten someone’s day and reach those who may not have set foot in a church otherwise.Make sure that your people are representing the church are dress modestly, cleaning carefully, and–again–not accepting a dime.
Through these efforts, both churches in Alexandria VA and communities can hope that the next generation will still be able to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.
