|
Reach Out to Others
In the Bible, the Christian
faith and experience is centered on reaching out to
people with the truth of God. People in every community are much the same,
no matter what part of the world you live in. There are some nice people,
some greedy people, some very bad people, and lots of others who are
somewhere in between all the above.
But regardless of the kind of person they are, everyone needs Jesus
Christ. Everyone needs to understand how much God cares for them -- just
as they are.
 When a society has slipped off into the dark practices we now see all
around us, it's all too easy for Christian believers to want to judge
their neighbors and co-workers, condemning them for their unbelief, for
all their bad habits, for the bad things they say, and for their
ignorance of God. But if God had treated us that way, no one would know
and love Jesus today.
All of us are undesirable in God's sight until we're cleaned up and made
whole through faith in Jesus Christ. Even as Christians, we still fall
short of perfection every day. We're saved by grace through faith. The
grace of God that teaches us to trust in Jesus also lifts us into new
levels of joy and peace -- and godly living -- by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
Making a Difference
One thing we as believers
can do to make positive changes in the world is to share our faith. But
how can we do so in ways that are meaningful to the society we live in?
How can we begin to relate the goodness of God to people who were raised
to believe things they see and hear from Hollywood, and Madison Avenue,
and even from political leaders who work to keep people in bondage to
darkness?
There are many ways to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Nothing is more effective than one-to-one sharing over coffee, at the
backyard fence, or around a break table at work. Other good ways include
community gatherings, such as having neighbors over for a cookout,
inviting friends over for a couples' Bible Study. You can
even buy and share good Christian movies on DVD and video, or have folks
over to watch the same in your own home.
There are also youth outreach activities that you and your church can
sponsor in your own neighborhood. Pray and ask the Lord Jesus to direct
your spirit, and your family, in ways that will help to show God's love
and power to others around you.
A Gospel-centered Newspaper?
A powerful way to
become a real service to your own town or local community is to start a
Christian newspaper. Through a local paper, paid for by advertisements
from area businesses, you can begin to make an impact on local families
and individuals. Along with generally useful information, you can offer
hope and practical wisdom to the readers of your paper. And you can
highlight all the good things being done in your area by all kinds of
people -- not just by Christians.
Make an impact by upholding what is good, encouraging what is wise, and by
pointing out what's right and worthy of notice all around you. Tell
everyone about the good things being offered by local churches, list all
the area Bible studies, prayer meetings, men's and women's meetings, youth
activities, family-help programs, and more.
As a local Christian paper, you can be a positive influence on the whole
community. Not only do you become a voice, but you also give voice to many
others who have something worthwhile to say.
Offer a page each issue to a local pastor or youth leader to share a
helpful message with the community (or transcribe a message from the
pulpit that's already been taped).
Offer a page to Christian and public
testimonies, where people can share what God has done for them.
Print
children's stories from the Bible, simply illustrated, if possible, by a
local artist.
Be sure to include special features. Use the common interests and
needs we all have to draw attention to the real heart and soul of your
paper: the Christian message of God's love for us in Jesus Christ.
Popular features in any paper include comics each issue, advice columns, a Bible-centered or
family-centered crossword puzzle, some riddles to be answered in the next
issue, or on the back page, and some great family recipes, handyman tips,
car advice, cleaning tips, or whatever you think will make the paper more
interesting to all readers. (For more ideas, see the
resources page.)
A Whole New Career & Ministry
Is a
newspaper lot of work? It sure is.
Is it worth it? You better believe it.
Every life touched, every person helped, every believer encouraged, and
every lost soul pointed to Jesus makes it worth all your hard work. If the
Lord leads you to start a Christian paper, you'll never regret the time
and effort spent on serving God and the wonderful human beings all around
you in this way.
Just think of the teens and children who need help and encouraging right
now. Think about the young moms and dads who really need some good news
and some good advice today. Think about the elderly who have lost all
hope, and all reason to live. You can become a light in a very dark place.
Every human soul is precious to the Lord. Every life is worth reaching.
Every mind worth jolting a little. And every moment we spend helping
others to discover and understand the truth of God for all of us is a
moment we will cherish for all eternity.
Pray about the needs of your community. Pray for the people who live and
struggle through life all around you each day - many of whom you know
nothing about. Ask the Lord to help them, to save them, to rescue them
from the difficulties and heartbreaks that weigh them down. Ask the Lord
Jesus to guide you into the path of blessing and ministry He wants you to
walk. He will direct you in the way you should go.
Additional Information
I've put together
some general information that goes through some of the basics involved in setting up and
operating a local newspaper. This free material offers ideas and helpful advice. If you think the Lord might lead
you to start up a local paper, then click here to get more information.
God's best to you as you seek His will in meaningful outreach to your local area.
Jim
|
