H2H September_clone

Ministries

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2021

In 40+ years of ministry, we have the miracle does not come, when the urgent As we seek to provide ministry
never realized such sickness and prayer gets no answer, when there is only unusual it’s imperative that we
loss as we continue to navigate darkness...this is the kind of faith God practice self-care. Frankly, this is
through a global pandemic. Never values perhaps most of all. This is the something few pastors take
have we been more challenged to kind of faith that can be developed and seriously. Just as a flight attendant
‘mourn with those who mourn’ as the displayed only in the midst of difficult counsels passengers to secure
ministry of presence is met with circumstances. This is the kind of faith their oxygen mask firmly over
restrictions such as having to that cannot be shaken because it is the their nose and mouth, and
refrain from embracing, hospital result of having been shaken.’ breathe normally before assisting
visits not being permitted, another person, self-care is of
selective face-to-face gatherings, How will we continue to lead utmost importance if you are to
etc. Our new norm in seeking to through this season? We will lead effectively care well for others.
express care one for another ministry unusual. Ministry unusual is While doing ministry unusual, it’s
remains extremely challenging as ministry that doesn’t look like it’s important to remind yourself to:
we face heartbreak upon always looked. It’s releasing
heartbreak. methods that are no longer • Take care of YOU. This
You’ve had to grieve the loss of effective. This month, let’s consider includes exercise, eating well,
family and friends with restraints self-care, best practices in worse adequate rest, and intentional
that have further magnified your case scenarios, and provide ‘healthy’ relational
losses. For that, I’m so sorry. The resources that can impact you and connections.
additional stresses Covid-19 has the ministries you lead.
introduced to pastoral leadership • Maintain healthy boundaries.
remains fluid and uncertain. Thank you for exercising faith that Release what can be released
Nancy Guthrie in her book cannot be shaken. Florida Forward! and practice ‘shared’ ministry.
Holding on to Hope states, ‘Trusting - Brenda
• Check your motives. If
helping others is more about
your self-worth, realign your
motives.

Monument: Has your local church become a monument or is it missional?
obsolete: a burial vault The definitions cited will qualify your answer. This pandemic
A lasting reminder has given this church the beautiful gift of perspective. We are be-
A memorial (building) erected in remembrance of a ing invited to express the grace of care and community that
person or event naturally builds God’s church. Don’t miss opportunities to
‘show up’ in your neighborhood, at work, and in your local
Missional church. People all around us need truth tellers to speak life,
A special assignment given to a person or group hope, and courage. Be a comforter who points others to The
A combat operation assigned to a person or military Comforter. Showing up says, “I see you. Your pain is known. I’m
unit. here and you’re not alone.’ We’re in a season that is creating
An organization for carrying on missionary work in unique opportunities for community engagement and local
a territory. church care. Seize those opportunities.

For 20 years, GriefShare has created resources that Table of Contents
equip laypeople to lead church-based, Christ-
centered grief recovery programs. Over the years, they • It’s So Hard to Come to Church
have interviewed hundreds of grieving people and re- • No One Understands What I’m Going Through
spected Christian counselors, pastors, and teachers
with extensive experience in grief care. Using their in- • I Want to Grieve Like a ‘Good’ Christian
sights, GriefShare provides this free downloadable re- • My Relationships Have Gotten Weird
source (www.consider.griefshare.org). Each chapter • Guilt Is Eating Me Up
contains practical suggestions to help a grieving person • I Feel Like I’m Going Crazy
at different points in the grief process. - Susan Lutz &
Kathy Leonard • I Thought Being a Christian Would Protect Me
From the Pain

• The Second Year is Worse Than the First

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• It’s personal. I know a pastor’s wife, mother of • It’s ministry within the Body of Christ that looks different.
four, who was diagnosed with cancer. After she Ministry of Zoom: Local Church Considerations
complimented a friend on her dress, her friend Coffee & Conversation: Interview women in
gave the pastor’s wife her dress. Kara affection- your church or community, a nurse, physician,
ately called it her ‘grace dress’ and she wore it to her financial planner, for the benefit of mentoring
first chemo treatment, the day she had to cut off and/or educating. Consider cooking tutorials
all her hair, and on other difficult days. What a or another featured skill that would be enjoyable
beautiful expression of support. Ministry unusual is in this stressful season of life. Be mindful to add
grace-filled. the element of fun to gatherings.
Show & Tell: Ask the ladies to tell about God’s
• It’s meeting practical needs. For example, a meal faithfulness by showing something connected to
delivery is more than a casserole! Your provision a personal testimony. (Ex: I carry a hospital admis
of a meal to a family going through Covid or sion band in the front of my Bible to remind me that on
another crisis is multifaceted: August 23, 2015 God redeemed our lives from destruct-
...it meets an essential need tion when we were in an accident that totaled our SUV.)
...it communicates care Invite participants to share their ‘stones of
...it allows those afflicted ‘rest’ for appropriate healing remembrance’ (Joshua 4:9).
Door Dash and other delivery services
have proven to be incredibly resourceful • It’s doing something we’ve never done before. Teaching
during this season. We have provided Pastor, Christopher Hiken, at North Coast
meals for families both out-of-town and Church lost his wife this month to suicide due to
out-of-state during the pandemic. mental illness. She was the mother of six, one a
What does ministry unusual look like? newborn. Ministry unusual is responding to send
Delivering groceries to someone home- Condolences to a fellow believer who is hurting.
bound. What a blessing. Publix and Kroger Ever so impacting would be a card from a
would be glad to accommodate. Any party minister and his/her companion who he doesn’t
would be glad to be the benefactor. even know: Christopher Hilken, 5521 Mission
Road, Suite D-724, Bonsall, CA 92003.

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• Ministry unusual makes specific offers. We often say, • Ministry unusual will stretch you. It will look
let me know if you need anything. However, different. It will feel awkward, yet it can be
that offer is easily dismissed. Specific offers highly impacting. Better to stumble through it
show you mean business. (Ex. I’ve made together than for one to suffer alone. Be
homemade chicken noodle soup and would like to drop it willing to embrace a measure of personal
off later this afternoon at the front door. What time discomfort in order to ease the discomfort of
would be doable?) another. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”
• Ministry unusual moves beyond good intentions. Romans 12:10).
Intentions matter, but only insofar as they cause
you to engage into action. We’re all familiar • Ministry unusual is missional. The Barna Group
with the tension of wanting to care for others states that approximately 75% of churches in
but not sure of how to communicate our care. North America have either plateaued, are
That nudging is Someone; it’s the love of Christ decaying or dying. These findings reveal a
compelling us to respond. Who showed up for common trait, 75% had no community-
you during a crisis? What did they do? focused engagements. Could it be that
community-focused ministry is key to church
• Ministry unusual requires a shift in mindsets. Because growth? Absolutely! “Go ye” (Mark 16:15).
we have an aging population in the church in
North America, it’s essential that we apply • Ministry unusual is being vulnerable, real. As
ourselves to virtual ministry such as video leaders, we must be authentic. Utilize the
conferencing and mobile Apps. These are a following resource, Ministry as Unusual, The
significant part of the technology-driven world Power of Vulnerability to enhance your
we live in. Thus, the importance of applying effectiveness as a leader.
ourselves to shift personal preferences to
personal application that we might be relevant. Ministry unusual is multi-faceted.
Our young people are fluent and prefer to use Consider how God is calling you to lead ‘ministry unusual’.
these communication tools. The shift to utilize
technology is essential. Hight five’s to all who are You’ll know that you’re doing so when it looks like
seeking to master technology tools for personal something you’ve never rendered before.
enrichment and ministry opportunities.

Interestingly enough, the most-asked question in The Church is not a place; the church is people.
the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is The Church isn't a facility; it’s family.
It’s not a building; it’s a body.
‘How long, O Lord, how long?’ We must shift from preserving a building
And the most repeated command from God is and Sunday-centric programming

‘Do not fear’ or ‘Do not be afraid.’ to creating opportunities for weekday ministry,
The people of God consistently cry out for relief, mission, and community partnerships,

and the God of love bids us ...trust him. that we might make disciples of Jesus Christ.

- Scotty Smith, Objects of His Affection 4

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Should you like to have a copy of Revitalizing the Church through Making Disciples who Make Disciples—Loving People,
it’s yours for the asking. Email Brenda Gillum: [email protected] to request your copy.

• Becoming Like Jesus Who We Follow
• Serve His Love—Moving Beyond Narcissism

• The Mystery of Connection
• Joining Jesus to Love Others Well

Source: Great Commandment Network

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,
Who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,
Who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing,

and face with us the reality of our powerlessness—That is a friend who cares.
Henry J.M. Nouwen

The one who shows up—stands out!

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