Pastor’s Corner February 2009

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

I would like to present the Redeemer congregation with a new opportunity for service called the “Local Outreach Committee”. By “outreach” I am referring to our efforts to touch people locally with the love of Christ by word and deed. This outreach will include a combination of evangelism and mercy ministry. Evangelism refers to sharing the message of the gospel with people. Mercy refers to sharing the message of the gospel in the form of our serving various physical needs. We want to become involved in a growing way with ministries to people who not only need the gospel but who face circumstances of tangible need or difficulty. The message of redemption through Christ goes hand in hand with actions of service and mercy toward hurting people.

For the duration of Redeemer’s existence, we have participated in various local outreach ministries with official activities sponsored by the church. Many of our members serve regularly in multiple outreach capacities around Kansas City as well. I have always known our church to be a generous, compassionate church, very responsive when known needs arise in our body and from outside. Still, we have lacked a more formal plan and strategy to be regularly involved and committed to specific local outreach ministries. I am hoping this new committee will assist us with improving in this area.

The Apostle Paul gives us a wonderful example of a “word and deed” ministry that will be promoted by our new Local Outreach Committee:

Acts 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

I believe God is calling us to become more involved with our local community in the areas of evangelism and mercy. Would you consider serving on this committee to help mobilize the members of Redeemer for greater service locally?

Deacon Mark Dunn and I will be the initial co-Chairmen of this newly forming committee. As a way to start our work, we will concentrate on three local ministry areas with a view to expand our connection to other worthy ministries as the committee matures and the congregation responds by serving in these initial areas. We will begin by organizing an effort to become involved with:
1. The City Union Mission: a ministry to the poor and homeless of the KC area
2. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center: a ministry primarily to women facing unplanned pregnancies
3. Local Prison Ministry: a ministry that will provide bible study and discipleship for inmates as well as support for their families during their incarceration. We will weigh joining with an established ministry or starting our own effort.

Obviously there are many more areas of local outreach we will consider in the weeks and months to come, but for now, will you please pray for this new effort with specific attention to how you may become involved?

I am looking for 6-8 Redeemer members to help Mark and I start this committee. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 6pm in the south building Geneva Room. Call or email me today if you would like to be a participant!

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich