Block Party Thoughts…
As you know, this Sunday was our first ever “Block Party”. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the time we had was great. We learned a lot about what to do next time, what to change, what to keep the same. I’m wired to think that everything can always be better – so I’m always thinking and looking out for ways to make that happen (and I’m all ears – please hit me up with ideas, improvements, innovations!).
I’ve been reflecting on the Block Party for a few days now, and wanted to share with you three brief reflections I had for it.
First: you guys are great.
You took the challenge to be warm and friendly, hospitable and generous – and you nailed it. I think everyone who went felt it, and because of it, they got a little taste of what the Kingdom of God – and the church – can be like. More importantly, they got a little taste of what God is like. But you guys are also great because of all of your help. Set up, take down, running things during the party – you did it all. I’ve been part of churches where it’s me and 2 other people taking down every table and chair, cleaning every dish, and emptying every garbage can hours after everyone else left – and it makes these kind of events exhausting and slightly infuriating (and creates bitterness!). But not here, because of you. It’s one of the things I’ve loved learning about you – and experiencing as your pastor.
You give and serve, because you follow Jesus.
And it’s awesome.
Thank you.
Second: good things are happening.
Did you notice that a lot – if not most – of the kids who were there (and their families) were there because they’re connected to Central Youth, Central Learns, or Parents’ Night Out? These ministries that we’ve launched, and you’ve faithfully served in, are starting to bear fruit as people take steps of connection with the church. It’s not overnight – these things take time. Outreach can start out (and be) slow as it builds, but it is building.
Good things are happening, and I couldn’t be happier.
Third: people used their gifts.
When I think about the Block Party, this is one of the things that I loved most. I saw different people using their gifts to serve other people. Whether you were preparing food, painting faces, setting up tents, or starting conversations, you were using whatever gift you might have to serve others.
It’s a beautiful picture of what the church is supposed to look like – and how the church is supposed to work.
If you’re following our bible reading plan, we’ll read it in Ephesians 4 tomorrow, in 1 Corinthians 12 in the end of June, and we read it in Romans 12 a few weeks ago: different people are given different gifts and it’s essential that each use their gift for all.
It’s how God designed the church to work – and it worked like that on Sunday.
Ok, you got me. One more thought:
the Block Party artwork intentionally followed in the same design as the “Be My Witnesses” series. I did that so that, hopefully, we’d remember Jesus’ command to be His witnesses and think about the Block Party from that perspective.
From my view, our witness pointed to Jesus on Sunday…