+1 = 14

this past Sunday night, 11 went out from our church into our neighborhood. that's 1 more than went last week, but four of this week's servants were out for the first time -- that means that in the last two weeks, we've had 14 from our church make at least one trip into our neighborhood.

again, the hope is, rather than expecting the neighborhood to come into our doors, we'll meet them where they are. we are compelled by the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)-- not wanting anything from our neighborhood, but something for them. to demonstrate this love, we go with an extended offer to serve or pray, ready to share the hope we've found if prompted by the Spirit.

this week, we were able not only to see some follow-up to last week's encounters, but to also meet some new neighbors. most of who we met this week were not nearly as receptive or eager to talk. i think that's great! if the Spirit begins to move as we act justly through continual mercy to folks that are initially apprehensive and have the defenses go up--imagine the light that can break begin to break through into even darker places.

again, those walls or barriers to our effort also served as teaching moments that God is faithful to be true to His word, not allowing these efforts to return void, just part of His gentle whisper and knock at the door of hearts

we returned to talk and pray as we did last week -- there was additional joy in the room, but also a multiplied sense of purpose. the discussion and the ideas were electric.

"i want to invite every neighbor to our church"

"the Jesus video could be a pretty powerful gift around Easter"

"we need a block party with food, and games, and no strings attached"

"we really need a Hispanic pastor"

"i wish we would have been walking my dog -- that would have given us a better connection with that family through their dog"

"next week i'll bring my kids to play at the park with their kids -- then i may have a better opportunity to strike up a conversation"

many good ideas--great levels of continued prayer and discussion afterwards in the parking lot. great timing too -- this next Sunday marks our annual time of casting new vision and ideas to our church and leadership to consider and pursue in the next year.

the proverbial ball is rolling...

JOEL 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."