Torch, Summer 1992

by Brandon Waltz Tutoring at the Ohio Veterans Children's Home is one of over _,_.... ~- 100 weekly ministries for which students volunteer. ivid scenes of real needs, physical and spiritual, invade our senses every day. Our devotion to Christ compels us to obey Him and follow His example in ministering to people. So many need to hear the gospel-more than one million people globally have never heard the name of Christ. People have tremendous physical needs as well. Starvation and disease kill thousands of children daily. A growing elderly population, drugs, crime, the homeless, the mentally and terminally ill are all around us. In Christ we have both the motivation and the means for serving people. It is possible. The principles described below have helped us at Cedarville College to develop and maintain effective outreach programs which meet community needs. We hope they will assist you to be a part of God 's loving response to people's needs. 1. Gain A Biblical Perspective At Cedarville, we teach students that they have a biblical responsibility to the local church and also to its surrounding community. We are all Christ's representatives, commissioned to practice in word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord's example is ever before us. "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34). "So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him" (Matthew 20:33). 2. Assess Community Needs Knowing your community is essential. To be effective witnesses, the Body of Christ must be in touch with the issues and problems facing the community. And Bible-believing church members are not immune from the problems which plague our society. Effective ministry programs start with a thorough assessment of community needs. At Cedarville, we have discovered ministry opportunities through student interests, referrals, community involvement, and basic research. For example, one student's interest and enthusiasm recently led to the formation of a ministry to individuals who are HIV positive. We did not begin the actual ministry opportunity, however, until we had researched the needs and explored possible ministry avenues with the student. Whom do you see needing help? Homeless people, unwed mothers, disabled children? Find out who they are and what they really need. 3. Form A Task Team By joining with other committed Christians, you can share the responsibility for detailed study of a particular need. The team can then prayerfully outline a specific plan to meet that need. Wise counselors can help you discuss implications for other existing ministries, as well as the resources needed to conduct the new ministry. The most important resource will be people. The task team should include in its planning some means to recruit people who are interested or gifted in this area. Ask your pastor for guidance, being sensitive to his many existing time commitments. 4. Train Leaders Leadership is key to effective outreach ministries. The task team should select and train leaders for new ministries on the basis of ministry experience and a personal interview. At Cedarville, our continuing ministries select leaders from within-past leaders recommend participants who have modeled Christian maturity and leadership skills. If the recommended person wants to accept the responsibility, he or she interviews for the position. Once selected, that individual receives training from the current leader of the ministry for a selected period of time. 5. State Needs and Goals Clearly Write an outline of the specific need you are addressing and state how you will attempt to meet that need. These objectives will provide a sense of direction and a basis for motivating workers, setting priorities, and evaluating results. 6. Evaluate Effectiveness The evaluation process lays the basis for changes in the program. You may have to re-identify the needs, clarify the objectives, or restructure the forms and methodology. We have had experiences in which we could not modify an ineffective program, so we had to discontinue it. 7. Involve Church Members Paul, in Ephesians 4, declares individual ministry involvement to be an essential part of personal growth and corporate unity. Outreach programs provide excellent opportunities for believers to share their faith and develop their relationships with Christ and other believers. Not everyone in your local body will have the time or interest to become involved in your new ministry. But you only need a few to get started. As you share the Lord's blessing, others may come to understand the needs and want to help. You should clearly define ministry responsibilities so volunteers will know what to expect. Cedarville's students are asked to commit to the ministry of their choice for at least one year. 8. Establish A Follow-up Program Well-designed ministries should lead individuals to begin and then grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Be prepared to disciple these new believers. They may need special assistance to be assimilated into a local church, apply biblical truth, or understand how they can minister to others. Remember, true ministry is helping people, and their needs will change. Brandon Waltz is director of community ministries at Cedarville College. For a copy of a brochure listing all the College's community ministries, write Brandon at Cedarville College, P. 0. Box 601, Cedarville, OH 45314 or call 513-766-7880.