For some reason, this doesn't seem to be showing up... hmmm.

The Field Guide to Neighborhood Outreach does a fantastic job of showing how we can reach out from our own homes to those who live all around us. “We view our home as a primary tool for ministry.” Laura Warner, one of the people the book was written about. However, the best part about this book is the endless list of ideas that can be found within its covers. This Field Guide was written by the friends and neighbors of Drue and Laura Warner in honor of the life that they have led and the outreach they have done just by caring about those who live and work around them.

The book instructs with a quick “How to Reach Out to You Neighborhood.” Some of the topics covered in this chapter include:
• The Evolution of the Idea
• The Heart of the Ministry
• Other Outreach Opportunities
• Building Relationships
• Sharing the Gospel
• Day-to-Day Outreach
• The Cost of the Calling
• Bearing Fruit
• How to Get Started in Your Neighborhood (“People don’t need to go to church to experience the church” Drue Warner, one of the people the book was written about.)

Following this section is a multitude of ideas. “A caring community is a safe, friendly place to live. It’s a place where neighbors reach out to one another, help one another, laugh with one another. It’s a place we all want to live. …Show Jesus’ love to your neighbors by the things you say and do.” (pg. 17)

I have chosen a few of the outreach ideas as potential options for Volunteer Park Church to use (try) in the Volunteer Park community. They are listed, with a brief explanation, below:
• Making it Easy to “Do Good” – pg. 31
Collect donations door-to-door for a local charity organization. Explain who you are, where you live (Volunteer Park Church) and why you are doing it. Have a pre-arranged, monthly date decided upon and ask if it is okay to come back to that house in a month to collect again for the charity organization. Make sure to set aside enough time to talk and have enough carrying capacity for the number of places you will be visiting.
Instant Intentions: This activity allows you to regularly visit your neighbor’s home. After just a few months you can thank them and ask how you can pray for them as a way of saying thanks.
• Swap Meet and Greet – pg. 47
Advertise and encourage neighbors to bring lightly used, still working items that they no longer need for a swap meet and a chance to get to know their neighbors. This provides a chance for people to “recycle” items they no longer have a use for and pick up items that they might want or need.
Instant Intentions: While you are swapping your items, take time to chat with a neighbor. If they are looking for something specific offer to help them find it. Remember you are trying to make friends!
• Bread Exchange – pg. 54
Just like it sounds, invite neighbors to bring their favorite bread recipes along with a sample for a bread exchange. Have blank recipe cards on hand as well as a sign-in sheet with information for a thank you card or further invitations to similar events.
Instant Intentions: Send out thank you cards to those who attended the Bread Exchange. At the bottom of the card write out the Scripture, “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never by thirsty.’” (John 6:35).
• Lovely Ladies Tea Party – pg. 100
Host an elegant, intergenerational, ladies-only tea party. On the invitation request that each attendee bring a female relative who is special to her or a picture of a special female relative. At the party, ask guests to share a story or two about the special female relative (guest or picture). Depending on time you might plan an activity as well.
Instant Intentions: Use this time to build friendships and make new ones. Remember stories for future conversation starters.

I've been talking up the book club! Everyone who I've talked to seems to be interested