The community impact of a small group can and should extend beyond the regular meeting times. The influence of a well-functioning group will expand to include support of members throughout the week, and also service to the broader community, called “Good Sam” projects here at Washington Cathedral. Each small group at Washington Cathedral is encouraged to have their own Good Sam project. Those groups who have projects know the benefits and blessings of serving the communities in which we live. Here are my “Top Ten Reasons to Have a Good Sam Project!”
10. Personal Growth – Caring for other people expands your vision and impacts your understanding.
9. Group Growth – Serving together strengthens the bond between members and allows them to deepen their relationships with each other.
8. Expanded Ministry – Moving church “out of the church” allows us to reach people we would never have the opportunity to reach during regular services.
7. Reordering Priorities – Tending to the sometimes desperate needs of our fellow man encourages a reassessment of the stewardship of our time and resources.
6. Parenting Opportunities – Bringing your entire family along (if appropriate) allows you to model an appropriate use of time and gifts to your children.
5. Friendship Evangelism – Serving in the community provides opportunities for the unchurched to witness the impact when we truly love our neighbors as ourselves.
4. Personal Blessings – Loving others enough to serve them in their time of need uplifts our own hearts.
3. Changing View – Witnessing the plight of others impacts our attitude toward our own trials and allows us to assess our situation more realistically.
2. Community Appreciation – Becoming more aware of the people around us deepens our appreciation of the larger community.
1. Seizing Opportunity – Serving in Good Sam projects gives us the opportunity to be the “light of the world” we were intended to be.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Monthly Challenge - The opportunities to serve are endless. Groups which have done or are doing Good Sam projects, please enlighten us by clicking on the tiny “Comment” link right beside "Posted by Elaine Brammer" directly below and tell us about your project. Tell us what you do, but also please tell us the impact of your work on the community and how it affected you in the process. Groups who do not currently have a Good Sam project, please consider some ideas among your group and let us know! For suggestions, contact Pastor Elise Diaz at elise.diaz@wacathedral.org
Tips on entering a Comment - 1) Type your comment in the first box. 2) Type the green characters you see in the second box. 3) Choose "Other" as your identity and type your name in the third box. 4) Click on "Publish Your Comment."
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)