What if church was a verb instead of just a building?
That is the question being asked by the entire United Methodist Church as part of the Change the World event that will happen April 24-25.
It is a weekend of radical ideas that will make differences in communities big and small, and an opportunity to become more aware of global health issues like malaria and help with major projects.
The Rethink Church initiative will take place throughout the state and churches are encouraged to create and participate in a service or fundraising event that helps effect positive and long-lasting change, whether it’s revitalizing a food-pantry program or creating a new ministry to help the homeless.
“Change the World challenges the people of The United Methodist Church to see the world holistically by giving and serving beyond the four walls of sanctuaries and Sunday school classrooms,” said Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “Our hope is that not only will church members participate, they will invite neighbors in the community to work side-by-side with them to make a sustainable difference in diverse ways.”
Getting involved is as simple as picking up the phone or sending an e-mail to find out what a local congregation is doing.
But the event is not something that hopes to stand alone; it is an extension of new ministries the church is already involved in to reach out to more people in different ways.
Below are just a few ways disciples and followers of Christ are making unique impacts across the state — on Change the World weekend and all year long — through the United Methodist Church and its resources.
Coming together to deliver a heavy dose of help
The Change the World Web site on UMCOM.org demonstrates that dozens of churches are already locked in to the programming initiatives around the country.
Michigan is no exception.
The weekend before, April 17, the Concord United Methodist Church is hosting a basketball exhibition called Buzzkill Basketball to Fight Malaria, at Spring Arbor University. The funds raised will be used to purchase to help combat malaria internationally.
At Traverse Bay a group is getting green for Jesus. Traverse Bay UMC is hosting an Earth Day focused event, which includes stream clean up and the creation of an outdoor area for a neighborhood to enjoy.
The weekend before, April 17, the Concord United Methodist Church is hosting a basketball exhibition called Buzzkill Basketball to Fight Malaria, at Spring Arbor University. The funds raised will be used to purchase to help combat malaria internationally.
At Traverse Bay a group is getting green for Jesus. Traverse Bay UMC is hosting an Earth Day focused event, which includes stream clean up and the creation of an outdoor area for a neighborhood to enjoy.
Changing the world doesn’t have to be a lonesome activity and six churches in the St. Johns’ area are taking that to heart.
The mid-Michigan congregations are gathering on April 24 to do local mission work in and around their churches and communities.
On Sunday the churches will join forces for a large worship service to celebrate the work God is doing.
Churches can go to www.umcom.org and add their event to the Web site and easily send an event notification to a digital mailing list.
The mission field is close to home
The concept of rethinking church is not to be confined to one weekend, it is to jumpstart new programs of outreach that can touch lives in new and inspiring ways — in ways similar to one church in Flint.
Five years ago the members of Calvary United Methodist Church started making missional outreach a top priority of their congregation.
After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast they started sending work groups down there as often as possible, to the point that the church of less than 200 sent aid down for relief work three times in six months.
As Rev. Ray McGee saw people’s lives being transformed through helping others, a simple question by the missions chair of his church started a domino effect that continues to fall today.
“(He said) I don’t think we need to drive 2,200 miles roundtrip, we can just go down the block. We have the same types of damaged houses in Flint as they do on the Gulf Coast, they just didn’t happen because of hurricanes,” McGee said. “So I said, well Jeff that’s pretty simple — if you want to make it happen, pray about it and I’ll help you. And now it will be the fourth summer of rebuilding houses in the area.”
What started out as 11 people wearing nail aprons and safety goggles with the goal of sharing Christ’s love in the community has grown leaps and bounds.
“We had as many as 97 people last June working on houses for a week here. We work on about a half dozen and do some painting, re-roofing and replacing things like porches and just try to bless them,” McGee said. “Now we’ve got many from the district and we’ve begun to get a few youth groups from around the state, including outside of the Methodist church, coming to help and we’ll put them up and host them here.”
The program is for people who are low-income homeowners who have paid their taxes and live in close proximity to the church.
The project not only provides free house repairs to more than a half dozen homes each year, it has also helped the church become more active in the community.
McGee and other leaders of faith-based groups and congregations meet with Flint Mayor Dayne Walling once a month, and Flint Calvary United Methodist has ramped up its youth ministries, including an evening for basketball and devotions, thanks to the increased participation in outreach.
McGee said churches need to think outside the box and take risks that may eventually bring more people to the Gospel message.
“Let’s not be afraid to try new things. I am willing to say as the pastor of this church that you have my permission to screw up,” he said. “Are we going to try something new to make a difference or just let the patient die because we’re scared? As a leader I am willing to let people explore ideas and if it fails I’m willing to take the blame and if it works all the credit should go to them.”
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