Toolbox For Faith

I consider myself to be a community pastor.  I am called by the people of St. Michael, but my ministry extends beyond the boundaries of our congregation.  In today’s world, I think having a healthy relationship with the community around you opens doors for ministry to happen.  I don’t walk around the community randomly inviting people to church, but I am present at places like my son’s school, volunteering in kindergarten, and at a regular a community luncheon, occasionally offering the invocation.  Over time my continued presence has afforded me the opportunity to make Christ known and has helped make people aware of our congregation.

While each community is different, I offer these suggestions if you want to be a community pastor.

1.  Discover something you are passionate about - - for example helping children

2.  Introduce yourself to someone in the community who is working in that area - - perhaps a local principal

3.  Ask “What can my congregation and I do to help you out?”

4.  Listen to what the person says and follow through

Becoming a community pastor will not happen over night.  It will take time to build trust, but I believe that investing a little bit of your time in the community can make a tremendous impact on your ministry and your ability to make Christ known to those around you.

About 18 months ago, St. Michael started a backpack feeding ministry.  The concept is very simple, but the impact is tremendous.  In every school, there are students who depend on a school breakfast and a school lunch for their main nutrition.  Over the weekend, these students often receive very little to eat.  Backpack feeding programs provide six healthy weekend meals to these students.  The food is placed in an ordinary backpack and given to a student as they are leaving school on a Friday afternoon.  The ministry is a partnership between St. Michael, other community churches, local organizations and the schools.  We started delivering 5 backpacks per week at one school and now deliver a total of 56 backpacks each week.  If you want more information about our backpack feeding ministry or would like help starting a backpack feeding ministry at your congregation check out: Micah’s Backpack. (www.micahsbackpack.org)