Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Community Compassion Organization 3

It’s sobering to think about how easy it is for people to become homeless these days.  It’s almost as if losing everything has become a nationwide epidemic without a definite cure.  By the grace of God over my life I have an opportunity to be a part of the solution.

                This is my third and final blog on compassion organizations within particular types of community.  The organization I chose is an outreaching ministry that flows out of my church as well as a few others that target the needs of the homeless.  It is called Kingdom Seekers.  The man I had the privilege of interviewing, Andy, has been a committed representative from my church for a number of years. 
 
                When the conversation began, Andy made it very clear that “this organization is not a homeless ministry…it’s Kingdom Seekers.”  This set the tone for the interview because it removed any predispositions I may have had about how a homeless ministry operates.

                Andy proceeded to share with me the way in which Kingdom Seekers goes about their ministry.  On a typical Saturday there is a group effort of 5-6 churches in the community pitching in to provide a setting that is warm, inviting and engaging.  Attendees first walk into this atmosphere and are lvingly greeted and offered coffee if they so desire.  After a while, everyone sits down for a short church service.  They are introduced to worship, personal testimonies, and then a message of truth from scripture.  Following the abbreviated service, attendees are blessed with a meal that is made with love and excellence.  Andy concluded that “the purpose of this ministry is not only to provide their need for physical food, but to provide their need for spiritual food as well.”  

As we wrapped up the interview I asked Andy one last question.  I asked “What impacts you the most about serving in this ministry?” With tears in his eyes he replied honestly and said “It could be me.  I’m grateful that I can be the one to serve instead of the one being served.  I keep that very fresh in my mind.”
 
                It is evident that this ministry of Kingdom Seekers is motivated by the heart of Jesus Christ.  Their mission statement sums it all up and reads, “The heart of the Lord is to help those in need.  We hope that through this outreach our guests become convinced of the Father’s love for them.”

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Influence


            I had the opportunity to sit-in on an interview of a pastor who helped plant a church near Pittsburgh.  Pastor Rich Jones was a man who spent years searching for the exact setting that would inhabit his calling to be a pastor.  Through trial and error, he discovered the setting was to be established by himself.  Essentially, that he was to be a part of planting a church designed to incorporate all that he had been searching for in a pastoral role.  Creating the atmosphere that he wanted to see in a church.  

            Something interesting that he touched on was the influence his church had in the community.  Rich expressed to us that the Element Church had gained influence within the community over two years simply by reaching out with a heart that reflects Christ. 
           
            With an objective to lead people into a relationship with Christ, Rich and his team have put themselves in a prime position.  John Maxwell says “If you can influence people, you can lead them.  Or in other words, if you have the ability to influence people, then you have already begun to lead them.”

            I believe that Pastor Rich and the Element Church are on the right path for accomplishing the task of Matthew 28:18-20.  I also believe that if a church is able to influence the community with a passion derived from the heart of Christ, then it will make a tremendous impact for the Kingdom of God.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Suiting Up for a Job


        In a recent class, we discussed on a tangent some helpful tools and strategies that can be used for the preparation and execution of finding a job.  It’s no secret; there are people of this nation who are in desperate need of a job.  Some have training in a particular skill.  Some have acquired degrees in particular fields.  Some have neither, but many are in need of an income.
            Here are a couple tips we received.  Pass them along.
1.       Micro-Market Yourself
Your resume’ is the 1st impression you will give to any employer.  It is critical to make that 1st impression count.  The key here is to “market” yourself to the reader as a valuable commodity.  Be honest, authentic and strategic in everything you say about yourself and your worth.

2.       Hiring Criteria
  When employers are searching to fill a job they examine each candidate based on the following criteria to see if they are the right fit for the job.
a.       Character:  Is this candidate made up of quality character traits that are shown to be of value?
b.       Competency:  Will this candidate be able to perform the tasks that are required for this position?
c.       Chemistry:  Is this candidate someone I would enjoy working with?
In case you are interested in the validity of these tips I can assure you that they have been attained from someone on the “inside”.  :)