Bloom Where You Are Planted, Make your Neighborhood your Church

This message is for everyone who calls themselves Christians or followers of Jesus.

It’s been said “The grass is not greener on the other side, but where you cultivate it”. Touching peoples lives is the same way. As Christians we look for a church that will hopefully meet our needs and when we think we have found it, after a while are mildly disappointed.

If I may be so bold, I think we are missing the forest for the trees. The Christian life is not about where we go to Church nor is it about Church Buildings or meetings, yet that has become the center of our Christian experience.

Why do we drive away from the place we live, to go to the non existent greener pastures to minister to people who live somewhere else and we usually only see them one day a week?  Meanwhile we are surrounded by a congregation of people around us already seven days a week. We call it a neighborhood.

If you are a church goer, Pastor or Church planter who wants to make a difference, I dare you to step out and make your neighborhood your church. You’ll automatically be surrounded by a congregation of people,  you will begin to see first hand real transformation unfold before your eyes and your life will never be the same again. It’s that’s simple.

What is a Spiritual Movement?

The results of ordinary everyday followers of Jesus taking adventurous steps of faith in a grass roots environment to help facilitate spiritual and physical transformation.

What is a Simple Church ?

“It is a group of at least two or three people who are, or are seeking to be followers of Christ, gathering together on a consistent basis, anywhere, anytime and facilitating change wherever they are.“

What is a House Church?

“It is a simple church using a residential structure in a neighborhood or village to gather together”.

Creative Ideas for Neighborhood Gatherings

Click here to view another video excerpt with Randy Frazee to view some creative ideas you can use in your neighborhood.

Create a Spiritual Footprint in your Neighborhood

Click here to view part of an interview in which Randy Frazee talks about Neighborhood Life. Many of the things he talks are similar to what has happened in our neighborhood and can happen in yours also.

How to Create a Free Lifechurch.tv Video Resource Library for Your Neighborhood

Click here to download instructions on How to Create a free Lifechurch.tv Video Resource Library for your Neighborhood, Church, or Lifegroup.

The link also contains pre-made “ready to print” CD/DVD and sleeve labels created by Simplechurch.tv for your Lifechurch.tv DVD media. You can use them with the free Memorex Expressit DVD Software you can download here, or use the pre-made images which can be used with your own CD/DVD label making software. These labels can be printed in Color or B&W. It’s up to you.

How to Start a Church Where You Live

It is exciting to have an interactive church at home, right in the neighborhood you live in, especially with the high gas prices at the pump. Not having to drive to church every Sunday is beginning to make a lot of sense to people everywhere. The good news is you can have a quality experience right where you live, with the people in your neighborhood and it’s much easier than you think. Click on the links below to help you get started or just wander through the the site for ideas and inspiration.

How to meet your neighbors – Video

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How do I get started?

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Some great tips for connecting with people and meeting new people in your neighborhood

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Free Tools you can use

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Connect with others

New Video Resource – Comedy with Tim Hawkins

It’s ok to laugh. Really. Here is a great video resource to use when starting a marriage discussion with a group of neighbors, along with other meaningful discussions. You can find this and more at http://www.timhawkins.net

Don’t struggle with Life Alone, Live Life Out loud

I know many of you are having a tough time now. Its hard to admit when things aren’t going so well, especially for those of us who people look up to. No ones exempt from difficulties and we don’t have all the answers. Don’t go through the mess of life alone anymore. Aren’t you tired of that?. Live “Life Out Loud”. Life’s to short. The moments are too precious.

Where to Connect to a “Live” Church Meeting

These Internet Online Church Campuses outside your neighborhood allow you to experience weekend services with a group of neighbors, friends or family in the comfort of your home or any choice location if you so choose.

All you have to do:

1. Invite some friends, neighbors, family, or someone you would like to get to know.
2. Hook up your computer to a TV. Click here for instructions
3. Add a nice meal and discussion (before, during and after).

• LifeChurch.tv Internet Campus

• Northland, A Church Distributed

• Seacoast Church

• Flamingo Road

These recommendations are based on quality of content, production, ease of use and user response. If you know of another quality Internet Campus, please let us know. Feel free to check in for an updated list as we continue to test different ministry sites.

Why Our Neighbors Don’t Go to Church

Recently Oak Leaf Church in Cartersville, Georgia went around town asking people why they don’t go to church. These are the same people who live where you and I live. They may never walk into a church door, but we “the church” can walk into their’s. My neighbors love their families, are thoughtful, intelligent, hard working, and worthy of my time to listen carefully and spend time with them as Jesus would. There is more to people’s answers than what’s being said.

How a Neighborhood can transform the Church Pt 3

By choosing to become intentionally active in the well being of our neighborhood,

2. We are forced to make a decision.

Who we are in our neighborhoods contributes to the perception of what people think about Christianity and Christians. I found that my neighbors can be kinder, more generous, have stronger families and be more forgiving than I am without them ever stepping into a church. My “Christianity” can be perceived as powerless to them and something to be avoided. Our actions or inactions reveal us. We can not hide behind the church smile and Christian phrases anymore. The truth of this forces us to make a decision and ask the right questions. “Am I really a follower of Christ or do I just have good intentions?”

The neighborhood is proving to be one of the best hands on environments for revealing whether “we are doers or just a hearers”. Religious sounding answers or great biblical knowledge just won’t cut it. If you want to know if you are a true follower of Christ open your door. Your faith will always be challenged. You will find out if your faith is real or not.

How a Neighborhood can transform the Church Pt 2

By choosing to become intentionally active in the well being of our neighborhood, here is one of several the ways the neighborhood can transform us.

1. We are forced to confront who we really are.

Jesus put his disciples in environments that forced them to confront themselves. In my neighborhood I can only fool my neighbors so long before they discover the truth. At some point my neighbors begin to match my words with my actions. My religious mask eventually falls off, my Christian smile fades and I am exposed.  I can’t hide. I have no where to go.

The temptation is to stay inside my house, keep the world out, become active outside of the neighborhood at church or events and be comforted with the myth that “It’s not my calling. “Someone else can do it.

How a Neighborhood can transform the Church Pt 1

Several years ago I started a project to see if I could find a way to bring spiritual transformation to my neighborhood. It’s turned out that God used the neighborhood to transform me.

To most of my neighbors Church is viewed as “out there”. “Come to us, get saved, give us your time and money”. That is the message they hear. That message is not practical or relevant to most people, but it is the message we are sending. That’s one of several reasons why churches in America are struggling. Jesus had a different message. “Love God, and love your neighbor.” The message is simple. The course of action easy to understand.

My neighbors want a safe and vibrant neighborhood to call home, raise their families or retire. The question for me changed from “How do I get my neighbors to go to church?” to “What can I, the church, do to make this a better neighborhood?”. That question changed everything. Click here to learn more about the Neighborhood Project.

Is Christianity boring to you?

I don’t think we want a boring life especially as follower of Christ. Here’s a show I loved as a kid. Hmmm, maybe it’s the reason I can’t sit in a church seat very long without going crazy. Shouldn’t the Christian life be full of adventure and danger?

A Free Tool that can Connect the Church Anywhere

If you want to keep in touch with friends from around the world, for free, click here to download an amazing program called Skype. You can even talk up to 9 people at once if you wish. Below is an example of what Skype does. I just used it. Its so simple.

Change happens locally.

These is an excerpt I found at Mars Hill church. I’m using their quotes because they just said it better than me.

“We believe the Church is God’s chosen vehicle for creating change. Change happens locally. It happens when people act where they are with what they have. Change happens gradually. It occurs when people do a series of little things well over a long period of time. As Christians, we love to talk but we don’t necessarily like to get up and out and get it done. It’s one thing to proclaim Christ on Sunday morning; it’s another to get wrapped up in your next-door neighbor’s life on any given day… What can you do? Place yourself in front of people. Put yourself squarely in the middle of their lives…”

Scared to meet your Neighbors?

O if it were that simple. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you will actually have to step out your door to meet them. Relationships don’t come with shortcuts.

What is the Church?

1. The Church
A group of people who are actively following Jesus.

2. Spiritual transformation
Dramatic changes in purpose, attitudes, behavior and lifestyle, characterized by actions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control that reflect a commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ.

3. Community
An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common geographical location.

4. Neighborhood
An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common geographical location within walking distance to each other.

Free Spiritual Gifts Assesment Test

What are your spiritual gifts? Click the links below to take the free online spiritual gifts test along with other assessments tests. Then ask others for feedback on the results.

http://www.gregwiens.com/gifts/

http://www.assess-yourself.org/

Changing Your World!

I am on one of the most amazing journeys one can imagine. Hard and dusty roads, full of life and adventure. I have chosen to be a follower of Jesus. This decision has been life changing.

Let us to be inspired together to continue pursuing this great adventure and be the kind of life changer whose actions change the world around us for the better.

Lets encourage others to experience this amazing life, full of adventure, wonder and celebration.

Using your TV as your Display for a PC or Laptop to Be Part of a Live Online Church Experience.

Below are instructions on how to set your TV to use as a display for your computer. We run our wireless connection through the laptop connected to a 32 inch screen TV. It’s bigger than it looks on the picture below.

By connecting the DVD, stereo system, and carefully placing speakers in different parts of the house the effect is amazing and so “Live”.

You can transition DVD videos, mp3, and live Internet together to develop a somewhat seamless transition for the experience. It’s amazing.

Connecting-your-PC-to-your-TV.pdf.

House Church Global Connections via Live Online Church Services

For those who have regular house church gatherings with your family and friends, you can also now interact with other homes around the world and be part of a live Church experience at the same time. Below is an example of what you might experience while connecting to a Live Online Service via Lifechurch.tv . You can also connect or partner with other Churches who do their services online.

Free Video Messages Anyone Can Download

Below are some low resolution samples of the free teaching messages available in high quality DVD format that you can use in a Neighborhood Life group, House Church or just family, friends and neighbors.

The messages deal with, relationships, marriage, parenting, financial freedom, personal issues, how to handle people, sex, and how a relationship with God plays a part in all these issues.

Videos courtesy of LifeChurch.tv can be downloaded free of charge.

Who is my Neighbor?

Why is it important for us to be active in our neighborhood? I find when we open our door and let people in or let ourselves out, even a simple hello can make someone’s day.

Click here to continue

How do I meet my neighbors?

Let’s keep it simple. Here is an interview of what one person did.

Here are a few more ideas.

1. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. Say hi to people. Become familiar with the people around you.

2. Use what you have – A touch, a smile, a listening ear, food, your TV. Everyone has one of these items.

3. Keep an “open chair” at the kitchen table and invite family, friends, neighbors, churched or the unchurched to join you for a meal.

Update – Click here to view another example of what one person can do.

 

 

How do I get started?

• Eat with people as often as you can, wherever and whenever you can. People engage and interact better with food on their plate than at any other time.

• Listen to people as much as possible, as often as possible. Don’t preach to them. No one likes that.

• Invite your friends, family or neighbors and do something nice for a neighbor, especially one in need.

• Invite your friends, family or neighbors, gather around some food. Have a spiritual discussion, preview a video together, learn about the bible or experience a live Online Church service. It works at any level whether it’s a small or a large gathering. There are lots of options.

• Don’t try to solve everyone’s problems. The more you listen, touch, and serve, the greater impact you will have.

Simple Church – Anytime, Anywhere, By Anyone

With the rising costs of gas, church buildings, real estate and staff salaries, the old ways of doing things no longer fit the practicalities of our changing culture.

The good news is you can experience Jesus with friends, family or neighbors without leaving your block or home.  No buildings to build, offerings to take, no special qualifications needed.  Being a follower of Christ is not about meetings but being part of practical real life experiences in the Christian faith.  “The Church is not where you go, but who you are”  Change the world in the neighborhood you live in.

Click the Neighborhood Initiative Project to find out more about how you can bring transformation to your neighborhood.