Somehow, I have this idea that I should be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Funny thing is, sometimes I just don't quite know how to put this in to action. I seem to hear a lot of people talking about doing it, but I don't really see anyone doing it, at least, not outside the walls of their churches.

I want to put some action behind the words. I want to put my money where my mouth is! I find, that as I pursue Christ, I can't help but love my neighbor. I find myself desiring to get involved in my community so that I will have opportunities to invite people into the Kingdom of God, but, it seems as though I am having trouble actually doing it. And, I often feel like I am the only person that feels this way!

I've actually had many conversations with many other people who are in the exact same boat. The people I have been talking to feel that it's not only church on Sunday morning that is sacred, but every moment of their lives as Christians. They are convinced that their lives as followers of Christ should be evident in their everyday life. They are realizing that they really should be the hands and feet of Christ wherever they go...but they...no, we...seem to be having trouble putting action behind the thoughts and words.

So, I am proposing that we get together and talk about it. Not just talk about it, but come up with a plan on how to put this "hands and feet" thing into practice.

If you live anywhere near Auburn, Indiana, join us at 7:30 p.m., Monday, August 20, at the Starbucks on 7th street. Several people from a variety of churches in the area will be there, and we are going to discuss ways we can take the Kingdom of God into our communities. Then, we are going to put together a plan on how we can make some of those ideas a reality.

To finish off the evening, and to solidify the fact that we are no longer going to just talk but start taking real actions, we are going to take up an offering. We will split this offering in half. Half will go in the tip jar. The other half will go to the manager of Starbucks and we will ask them to use the money to pay for the coffee of any customers that come in for the rest of the night, until the money runs out. The goal in doing this is not to feel good about ourselves, but to put action behind the idea that we really want to invest in the lives of those in our community! The offering is not required. How and when you give is entirely between you and God. But, I want to offer us an opportunity to start taking action before we leave, and I also want to be entirely up front about what the money will be used for.

Hey, I look forward to our conversation. I can't wait to hear your ideas and your passions!

See you Monday.

P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at jeremiah@jeremiahotis.com, or leave a comment on the right.

Comments

• August 15, 2007, Todd Helmkamp schreibt: Good idea Joe. However, after some thought, I disagree with where you're distributing the offering.
  
  Why not use the money somewhere where its needed, like a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or battered women's shelter, rather than giving it to people who can afford to spend money at Starbuck's?
• August 15, 2007, Luke Skywalker schreibt: I'll most likely be there. I kind of agree with Todd maybe half the offering could go in this groups "funds" if this is going to be a progressive thing, and the other half could be given to a place like goodwill, but with the same intent of paying for things until the money runs out.
• August 15, 2007, cassie jo schreibt: hey jo--sounds cool! jason and i will try our best to be there as we have worship practice until seven.
  
  we have been having similar meetings with a group of our youth on a weekly basis since camp. things are certainly stirring in people's hearts.
  
  last week we went downtown, and cleaned up the trash in a couple parks and all down clinton street. then we handed out a bunch of water bottles to little kids and homeless people. this saturday we're going to head back downtown, take some foursquare/boxball, tons of free pb&j sandwiches, & free clothes. it's amazing that once you start to put actions to the words of jesus, you find yourself saying, "yeah...this is what we're supposed to be doing. this is what it means."
  
  the challenge in this new way of thinking is that we do live in the mediocre midwest. there is a 20% poverty rate in fort wayne, and over 100 homeless...which isn't a lot compared to major metropolis cities; and you have to sort of really search for these people if you want to find them. and a lot of people live in the midwest because they don't want to be bothered by other people; they want to live in their suburbian utopia.
  
  ...so we'll definitely see you there monday night. looking forward to the conversation!
• August 15, 2007, joe schreibt: Hey Cassie!!! It will be great to see you and Jason. I'm looking forward to it.
  
  As far as the offering is concerned, I whole-heartedly agree that money should be invested where it is most needed. But, in order to give the money to another organization we must solve several problems. Who will be responsible for getting the money there? What accountability measures are in place to make certain that it happens the way it is suppossed to?
  
  We aren't an organization, at least not at this point, so we don't really have any safeguards in place. Furthermore, while I agree that money should be invested in a more needy place, I still think God can use the money to touch the lives of people at Starbucks. Consider a person who comes in after a horrible day and just wants a cup of coffee. On finding out that the coffee is free because someone else already paid the price, I really think we have planted a seed in that persons heart.
  
  Is it the best use of the money? I don't know for certain. But, I do know that God can use the money, and when we walk out the door everyone can be confident of how the money was used, whether they agree with it or not.
  
  As we develop, we will build safeguards to protect ourselves from misuse of money, and we will determine how to even handle money. But, those are things that must be discussed after we have an idea of who and what we are.
  
  This particular offering is really more geared at giving people an opportunity to "put their money where their mouth is" on Monday night, before they leave the building.
  
  I hope that helps everyone understand where I'm coming from. If you have any ideas on how we can safely use any money collected in an offering in a better way, I'd love to hear them!
• August 15, 2007, Jake Harper schreibt: man i totally feel the same way i wish i lived there so i could come to the meeting dang it well crap i guess you could tell me the ideas you guys come up with that would be great :)
• August 15, 2007, joe schreibt: Hey Mooch (Jake)!!!!
  
  It's great to hear from you! I will definitely be posting a blog after the meeting about what we came up with.
  
  But, I have a challenge for you: Seek out some like-minded people in your community and put something together, right where you live. Start small...that's what we are doing...and see where it goes. I'd love to hear what you come up with!
• August 16, 2007, Todd Helmkamp schreibt: Still about the offering:
  
  Ministry is about a point: sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those that need it.
  
  If you anonymously buy some guy that had a rough day a cup of coffee, sure that's a good deed, and there's nothing wrong with that.
  
  But, that doesn't share Christ with that person. A Buddhist could very well do something like that.
  
  I'm not saying ya gotta stand on the corner and shout the gospel (I wanna smack those guys), but your efforts need to be focused. Think of it in military terms (Jesus and Paul often did): you need to strike at the places where you'll do the most good (or, of course, where Holy Spirit is leading you).
• August 16, 2007, joe schreibt: @todd: Again, I agree with you.
  
  But, I am also considering the limitations of who and what this group is at this present time. There are, as yet, no safeguards to make certain that any money is used the way we have planned for it to be used. There are no accountability measures against fraud or theft, yet. Therefore, I'd like to see the money in the hands of those it's going to before we walk out the door. This gives us an opportunity to take action, rather than just sit and talk.
  
  As far as this being planned and intentional, it is. Consider the barristas, most of them know that several of us are Christians. When they see a large group of us get together, pray and talk, and then come up to them and leave a really large tip, and give the money to be used for others, without asking anything in return...that's going to stick out in their minds! Frankly, if I was one of those employees, and a customer asked me what the special deal was, I would tell him/her that some church group left the money to pay for coffee.
  
  It's not perfect, but I do think it is making the best out of the situation. If someone has a better idea, that is well thought out, and has accountability measures for taking care of the money, I'd love to hear it, but until then I think I'm going to stick with this plan.
  
  Also, this type of offering will not be the norm. It is solely to give us an opportunity to do more than talk, to actually start taking action. Hopefully, in the future we will have a safeguard system set up to deal with money issues.
• August 17, 2007, Todd Helmkamp schreibt: @Joe: you make a really good point about the barristas. I hadn't considered that.
• August 19, 2007, msutton schreibt: This is a great idea - getting together to brainstorm about how to reach the unreached right here. My first red flag was about handing money over to someone who may or may not use it as desired by the group. I like the basic idea though.
  
  There could be some sort of short message on a slip of paper with a contact name and number for more info. Use a thought-provoking question so the person will have to call for the answer. There's the open door. It doesn't necessarily have to be scripture, only lead to that. Give each person that paper with the cup of coffee. They'll read it because it is small and short. Then if someone does call, invite them to meet for coffee to talk.
  
  I really liked what Cassie Jo had to say and the action they are taking. That's putting your "Beautiful Feet" to work.
  
  See ya there.
• August 20, 2007, a blog for another blog « after a gentle rain schreibt: [...] meet you at starbucks?