For many of us, there are those times when things appear better on the outside than the inside. That can also be true of a local business.
I attended a breakfast this morning and listened to a difficult story from the owner of “The Christian Bookstore” in Stillwater which opened in the downtown area before moving to its present location on Perkins Road. The store has been there for 17 years. The store is in serious financial peril. They have lost employees, missed payrolls and struggled to pay rent. The cars you see lining the store are customers of the Firestone store next door.
The owner told an all too familiar story. He can now buy the same books from Sam’s and Wal-Mart cheaper than he can buy the same books in bulk from his distributors. Amazon, CBD and other Christian book distributors carry inventory priced slightly below his product line. The bookstore has posted steady losses over the past year. That cannot continue indefinitely.
Although the owner of the store is grateful that Wal-Mart, Sams, and other on line sources can place Christian material in the hands of many at reduced costs, the savings comes with a price. Several pastors met this morning to discuss and pray over that issue. The bottom line is that the community and the local churches will have to decide whether the Stillwater Christian Book Store is in reality a local mission which fills unmet needs and whether the store merits our collective financial support even though some of their products may be slightly higher than products obtained from alternative sources.
Like everything else, it will be a choice. There will likely not be unanimity of opinion concerning the community’s willingness or responsibility to support The Christian Book Store.
So there it is. I was not asked to do this. It is just that things sometimes look better on the outside than the inside.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Men of Action
How do I become involved in an oversea mission project without a shot record or a passport?
Recently the staff attended in a conference entitled Catalyst which spotlights developing parameters of church leadership including unique mission opportunities in the United States and abroad. We learned about a unique ministry which helps the widows and orphans of Rwanda who were victimized by internal genocide policies of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes within the region in the late 1990’s. More than two million natives were killed in these horrible tribal wars. The region is home to some of the worlds riches cof fee fields. There is now a group of missionaries engaged in the redemptive work of forgiveness designed to model the redeeming love of God in the world. “The Land of a Thousand Hill Coffee” project unites the survivors of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in a collaborative project to harvest coffee from the hills that once separated their tribes. Today over 30,000 workers harvest the rich coffee beans from this region and prepare them for export to the United States. The beans are roasted by Rwandans in i Roswell, Georgia and shipped to consumers all over the world. The sales of this bold and unique coffee have done much to restore economic stability to Rwanda. Churches, organizations and individuals were encouraged to support this project. The coffee is sold in 1 lb bags at a cost of $10 per bag. $3 from the sale of every bag of coffee is returned to the Rwandan government. This is in addition to the revenues generated in Rwanda from the harvesting and exportation process of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. I have several bags of coffee at the church which will be available at $5 per bag to introduce people to the coffee and the ministry. The normal price is $10 per bag. The bags can be purchased whole bean or ground in a medium or bold blend. You may learn more about this ministry project at www.landofathousandhills.com. You may also order direct from the company. I will make some of this coffee available to the Sunday school classes at no cost if you request. I do not intend to be involved in coffee sales for this ministry other than to introduce you to the concept and the mission. Contact me at your convenience if you are interested in sampling native grown Rwandan coffee.
How are we doing on those ministry opportunities we discussed the last time we visited?
We were able to effectively provide transition support for the man who was rendered homeless as a result of a fire which destroyed his home and all of his possessions. We provided glasses, clothing, and temporary food and shelter for this man until he was able to obtain federally assisted housing in Stillwater. Many individual and life groups provided food certificates and clothing along with other” in kind” assistance.
What about the young woman with four young children who was abandoned by her husband who, for spite, restricted access to all their clothes, toys and household possessions in the process?
One of our life groups assumed leadership of this project. We received an out pouring of clothes, household goods and money for rent assistance and food. Another group was able to purchase winter clothing for the children. Another family paid for six months of angel food. Yet another family purchased a pair of basket ball shoes so the 12 year old boy can continue in basketball activities. this fall. The woman attends Life Church, but she has expressed interest in becoming involved with our volunteer ministries at Sunnybrook. We have also extended an opportunity for her to become involved with our Wednesday Night Encounter activities. This family will continue to experience needs until they regain their equilibrium. We have a Life group who has assumed the responsibility of following this family throughout 2008. Call me if you would like to help.
Can I still hook up with the newly formed Men of Action Ministry?
Yes! We have selected 6 team captains who are beginning to enlist volunteers to work in six separate teams who will be called to action when needs arise in the church and in the community. Our Men of Action will be a “Matthew 25” hands and feet ministry to assist those less fortunate and those in need. In so doing, we will “GO” into our community as a group of Sunnybrook Men to engage in “relational evangelism” by spreading the good news about the redemptive work of Christ in the world. It is one thing to talk about the gospel; it is a whole new ball game to demonstrate the Gospel. This ministry grew out of a challenge delivered to our men by Kevin Greer who was our guest speaker from Ozark as a part of Paul Weece’s October Men’s Monday. Accordingly, you will hear more about this ministry and the opportunity for you to join it as a part of our Men’s Monday in November scheduled on Monday night ,November 5th. There will be other opportunities to sign up during worship services on November 11th. Robert Campbell will also speak to our men on November 5th explaining how you can become a Stephen Minister at Sunnybrook. Robert is one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders at Sunnybrook !
Was that little girl able to find a ride to church?..................... Yes!
Recently the staff attended in a conference entitled Catalyst which spotlights developing parameters of church leadership including unique mission opportunities in the United States and abroad. We learned about a unique ministry which helps the widows and orphans of Rwanda who were victimized by internal genocide policies of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes within the region in the late 1990’s. More than two million natives were killed in these horrible tribal wars. The region is home to some of the worlds riches cof fee fields. There is now a group of missionaries engaged in the redemptive work of forgiveness designed to model the redeeming love of God in the world. “The Land of a Thousand Hill Coffee” project unites the survivors of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in a collaborative project to harvest coffee from the hills that once separated their tribes. Today over 30,000 workers harvest the rich coffee beans from this region and prepare them for export to the United States. The beans are roasted by Rwandans in i Roswell, Georgia and shipped to consumers all over the world. The sales of this bold and unique coffee have done much to restore economic stability to Rwanda. Churches, organizations and individuals were encouraged to support this project. The coffee is sold in 1 lb bags at a cost of $10 per bag. $3 from the sale of every bag of coffee is returned to the Rwandan government. This is in addition to the revenues generated in Rwanda from the harvesting and exportation process of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes. I have several bags of coffee at the church which will be available at $5 per bag to introduce people to the coffee and the ministry. The normal price is $10 per bag. The bags can be purchased whole bean or ground in a medium or bold blend. You may learn more about this ministry project at www.landofathousandhills.com. You may also order direct from the company. I will make some of this coffee available to the Sunday school classes at no cost if you request. I do not intend to be involved in coffee sales for this ministry other than to introduce you to the concept and the mission. Contact me at your convenience if you are interested in sampling native grown Rwandan coffee.
How are we doing on those ministry opportunities we discussed the last time we visited?
We were able to effectively provide transition support for the man who was rendered homeless as a result of a fire which destroyed his home and all of his possessions. We provided glasses, clothing, and temporary food and shelter for this man until he was able to obtain federally assisted housing in Stillwater. Many individual and life groups provided food certificates and clothing along with other” in kind” assistance.
What about the young woman with four young children who was abandoned by her husband who, for spite, restricted access to all their clothes, toys and household possessions in the process?
One of our life groups assumed leadership of this project. We received an out pouring of clothes, household goods and money for rent assistance and food. Another group was able to purchase winter clothing for the children. Another family paid for six months of angel food. Yet another family purchased a pair of basket ball shoes so the 12 year old boy can continue in basketball activities. this fall. The woman attends Life Church, but she has expressed interest in becoming involved with our volunteer ministries at Sunnybrook. We have also extended an opportunity for her to become involved with our Wednesday Night Encounter activities. This family will continue to experience needs until they regain their equilibrium. We have a Life group who has assumed the responsibility of following this family throughout 2008. Call me if you would like to help.
Can I still hook up with the newly formed Men of Action Ministry?
Yes! We have selected 6 team captains who are beginning to enlist volunteers to work in six separate teams who will be called to action when needs arise in the church and in the community. Our Men of Action will be a “Matthew 25” hands and feet ministry to assist those less fortunate and those in need. In so doing, we will “GO” into our community as a group of Sunnybrook Men to engage in “relational evangelism” by spreading the good news about the redemptive work of Christ in the world. It is one thing to talk about the gospel; it is a whole new ball game to demonstrate the Gospel. This ministry grew out of a challenge delivered to our men by Kevin Greer who was our guest speaker from Ozark as a part of Paul Weece’s October Men’s Monday. Accordingly, you will hear more about this ministry and the opportunity for you to join it as a part of our Men’s Monday in November scheduled on Monday night ,November 5th. There will be other opportunities to sign up during worship services on November 11th. Robert Campbell will also speak to our men on November 5th explaining how you can become a Stephen Minister at Sunnybrook. Robert is one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders at Sunnybrook !
Was that little girl able to find a ride to church?..................... Yes!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Random Acts of Kindness - Celebration Stillwater
I am hoping to encourage Sunday School classes, our Life Groups and other small group ministries to participate in Random Acts of Kindness during Celebration Stillwater activities beginning September 9th – 15th.
Chip and Kami Parks will be our Sunnybrook Coordinators for encouraging and coordinating Sunnybrook groups that will be participating in Random Acts Activities. Chip and Kami will be making appearances before Sunday School groups and contacting our life and small group ministries to catalogue the list of groups and their planned activities so we can report our participation to the organizers of Celebration.
These random acts of kindness will be a bold statement of the love of Jesus Christ expressed through the hands and feet of Stillwater’s community of faith. Participants will be encouraged to wear special “Celebration Stillwater” Tee shirts. We can make these available to you. Check with Chip and Kami.
The list of kind acts you can do is limited only by your imagination. Individuals, families or groups can participate. I have listed below just a few suggested activities. We can help you with others. We invite your suggestions and postings on this Blog. I will look forward to hearing from you.
· Cold bottles of water at Boomer, Couch, OSU Track and other exercise venues
· Last year, a group from Sunnybrook took box lunches to every sanitation worker at 5 A.M. before they started their shift.
· Take 5 cents off every gallon of gas purchased at a selected gas station for a two hour period.
· Fill a box with fun things, great food, and other niceties, Put the box on the front door of someone you know. Ring the door bell. RUN BACK TO THE CAR... and LEAVE WITHOUT BEING SEEN. ( An anonymous Sunnybrook life group favorite Christmas activity )
· Disassemble and clean bug and debris from every front porch light on a city block
· Give a very generous tip to every wait person at Sonic during a morning, afternoon, or night shift. Walk into Mom’s or Perkins and 7 A.M. and do the same thing.
· Fill ice chests with water and pop, drive around town, and look for people working outside.
· Provide quarters for the people doing laundry.
· Deliver cakes , pies, or cookies. to the police department, fire department or postal carriers.
· Wouldn”t it be fun to rig up a “popsicle pick up truck” complete with a loudspeaker and drive through neighborhoods on a Saturday morning looking for kids ? ( Terry Carpenter’s suggestion)
· Your suggestion goes here!
Chip and Kami Parks will be our Sunnybrook Coordinators for encouraging and coordinating Sunnybrook groups that will be participating in Random Acts Activities. Chip and Kami will be making appearances before Sunday School groups and contacting our life and small group ministries to catalogue the list of groups and their planned activities so we can report our participation to the organizers of Celebration.
These random acts of kindness will be a bold statement of the love of Jesus Christ expressed through the hands and feet of Stillwater’s community of faith. Participants will be encouraged to wear special “Celebration Stillwater” Tee shirts. We can make these available to you. Check with Chip and Kami.
The list of kind acts you can do is limited only by your imagination. Individuals, families or groups can participate. I have listed below just a few suggested activities. We can help you with others. We invite your suggestions and postings on this Blog. I will look forward to hearing from you.
· Cold bottles of water at Boomer, Couch, OSU Track and other exercise venues
· Last year, a group from Sunnybrook took box lunches to every sanitation worker at 5 A.M. before they started their shift.
· Take 5 cents off every gallon of gas purchased at a selected gas station for a two hour period.
· Fill a box with fun things, great food, and other niceties, Put the box on the front door of someone you know. Ring the door bell. RUN BACK TO THE CAR... and LEAVE WITHOUT BEING SEEN. ( An anonymous Sunnybrook life group favorite Christmas activity )
· Disassemble and clean bug and debris from every front porch light on a city block
· Give a very generous tip to every wait person at Sonic during a morning, afternoon, or night shift. Walk into Mom’s or Perkins and 7 A.M. and do the same thing.
· Fill ice chests with water and pop, drive around town, and look for people working outside.
· Provide quarters for the people doing laundry.
· Deliver cakes , pies, or cookies. to the police department, fire department or postal carriers.
· Wouldn”t it be fun to rig up a “popsicle pick up truck” complete with a loudspeaker and drive through neighborhoods on a Saturday morning looking for kids ? ( Terry Carpenter’s suggestion)
· Your suggestion goes here!
First Impression (FIT) Teams
This Sunday will be one of our most well attended Sundays as public school and OSU begin fall sessions, and families have completed vacation travel.
Our FIT (First Impression Teams) teams have been busy all summer modeling and “tweaking” our new format of welcoming and providing assistance to our membership and especially our first time visitors. We want to spread the ambit of our welcome and appreciation of visitors from parking lot to pew. We are always looking for ways to connect our visitors to Sunnybrook ministries, programs and activities. Our goal is to move“ Beyond hello” . Taking advantage of the opportunity to escort visitors to child care areas, Sunday school classes or other Sunday Morning activities is certainly a better alternative than pointing in the general direction of their journey with a less than helpful “it’s over that-a-way!”
Our First Impression Team ministry is part of our “Go…Gather…Grow” vision of Sunnybrook, Specifically; we are GOing and reaching beyond traditional boundaries every Sunday morning as we invite people to encounter God. We have enjoyed ourselves all summer and look forward to the coming Fall and the opportunities to make connections with an even greater number of first time visitors.
You may have some comments about what we are doing, or perhaps suggestions how we can do this more effectively. I have made this forum available for you to respond, critique or make suggestions. This is a standard blog format where you will register your E-Mail on Google with a secure password to respond to my comments or comments from other contributors to this blog. And as you know, other readers and contributors will be able to respond to your comments and suggestions.
Have fun with this; I will look forward to your postings.
Our FIT (First Impression Teams) teams have been busy all summer modeling and “tweaking” our new format of welcoming and providing assistance to our membership and especially our first time visitors. We want to spread the ambit of our welcome and appreciation of visitors from parking lot to pew. We are always looking for ways to connect our visitors to Sunnybrook ministries, programs and activities. Our goal is to move“ Beyond hello” . Taking advantage of the opportunity to escort visitors to child care areas, Sunday school classes or other Sunday Morning activities is certainly a better alternative than pointing in the general direction of their journey with a less than helpful “it’s over that-a-way!”
Our First Impression Team ministry is part of our “Go…Gather…Grow” vision of Sunnybrook, Specifically; we are GOing and reaching beyond traditional boundaries every Sunday morning as we invite people to encounter God. We have enjoyed ourselves all summer and look forward to the coming Fall and the opportunities to make connections with an even greater number of first time visitors.
You may have some comments about what we are doing, or perhaps suggestions how we can do this more effectively. I have made this forum available for you to respond, critique or make suggestions. This is a standard blog format where you will register your E-Mail on Google with a secure password to respond to my comments or comments from other contributors to this blog. And as you know, other readers and contributors will be able to respond to your comments and suggestions.
Have fun with this; I will look forward to your postings.
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