What Is an Outreach Activity That Meets the Needs of the Unfortunate?
It seems challenging to find outreach activities that matches the volunteers' time/gifts/comfort with the needs of the less fortunate. How does a church go about finding worthy outreach activities that are truly meaningful and not just done for the sake of doing "outreach?” F, 50, NY
Thank you for this question that reviews why we do, what we do. Many people on fire for the Lord get restless when the saints are sitting around reading books all Sabbath afternoon. Young people want to get out there and make a difference in our community; we want to see results and lives changed for the better. This is a good and noble cause. But some of us pause and wonder, “wait, why are we doing all this?”
In Matthew 25, we see the passage where Jesus shares the parable about the Final Judgement, when the King shall return and ask of his subjects, “I was hungry, did you feed me? I was naked, did you clothe me? I was in prison, did you visit me?” Jesus is saying that He is in these very people that we help, who are less fortunate than ourselves. How you treat the poor, is how you will treat Me, says Jesus (verse 40).
James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” This is truly a high calling by God, for all of His followers to enter into service for His Kingdom.
God’s Word makes it very clear to us that outreach and serving the poor around us in an essential part of our faith experience. Now, what should we do? How shall we make an impact in our community? How can we change lives?
Create a vision within your church members about serving others. Without a true burden for serving others, outreach programs will be about meeting your needs and not the community. Let the passion of service come from their hearts, and the leaders need to continually fan the flame.
I would suggest that the first step (REALIZE) involves two actions: 1) take an inventory of your volunteers’ talents and resources and 2) discuss/share what your vision and passion is for the community. Make sure you realize your abilities and limitations. While you conduct your outreach programs, keep action 1 always in mind so that you don’t overstretch your boundaries, which could lead to chaos and/or burning out. Discussing your passion could be like a brainstorming session. What are you passionate about?
Step two (REACH) would be to analyze the needs of your community, the areas which you seek to make an impact. Going out to various locations and talking to different people in the community will be the only way you can achieve this. Take the pulse of your community and find out what is needed. Make as many contacts as you can and keep in touch with these people. Situations can change and new things can arise. Communication is the key here. If you want to work with your community, you need to talk with your community.
Finally (REFORM), organize. This means setting up a leadership team, training volunteers, recruiting new volunteers, and preparing your locations. Be creative, think outside the box, and most importantly, do what matters...the bottom line is the people you help.
Please add your ideas to this brief list: food bank, health clinic, tutoring center, elderly home assistance, sports camp, bible class, AA host, cooking class, ESL class, etc.