Questions to Ponder

• Do you find it difficult to mobilize your group for mission and to be outward-focused?
• Can you clearly articulate God’s care for the physically and spiritually poor and needy?
• Are you equipped to minister to a stranger who approaches you on Sunday morning in need of food because he doesn’t have the means to provide for his family ?

These questions get to the core of what it is not only to be a Seed Leader, but to be a Christian!  Perhaps you read the above questions with a gnawing sense that you feel completely unequipped to lead your Community Group in service.  That is why we are offering three different training opportunities for you and those in your Community Group who share an interest in loving “the least of these” in Louisville.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

1. Mercy 101 – Starting Sunday, January 17 at the Germantown Campus (time and place TBA) / Starting Sunday, January 31 at East Campus (12 noon – 1:30pm in the auditorium).   This class is the backbone of the Mercy Ministry here at Sojourn.  You will go through the theology of why we even have a mercy ministry and what poverty truly looks like according to the Scriptures.  This class is required for all Seed Leaders. East Campus can sign up for Mercy 101 here.  Germantown Campus will have a link in the next post when the time and place are solidified.
2. Mercy Monday Training – Starting Monday, January 4 (class from 5:30pm-6:30pm in the Listening Room of the 930, going into the neighborhood from 6:30pm-7:30pm). This training will equip you to live out the gospel and will implicate the way you lead.  The first half of our time together will consist of classroom instruction as we go through how to live a gospel-centered life.  Immediately following the class time we will go out into the neighborhood surrounding the 930 to visit widows, the elderly, and our friends in Germantown, putting what was learned into practice.
3. Porterbrook Training – (Starting time TBA, self-study).  This self-study course will be for any one who is interested in living a gopel-informed life at Sojourn.  More information is forthcoming on this training, which will begin in early 2010.

For more information on training opportunities, email jmoss@sojournchurch.com.

Feed and Seed

Germantown Campus:  Sunday, January 10, we will meet from 12:30-2:30pm in the Listening Room for our monthly potluck.  So come and be encouraged as we have a time of reflection and teaching.  Sign up online and bring your best side dish!

East Campus:  Sunday, February 28, we will launch Feed and Seed at the East Campus, which will take place every fourth Sunday of the month.  Sign up here.

Get Involved in Service

Here are some ways you can get involved in service at Sojourn Community Church:

• Consider this list of questions that is designed to spur us on in our walk with Christ as we enter 2010.  The same list appeared on Pastor Mike’s email to you this week, but it truly is worth repeating.
• Spur your Community Group forward by clicking here and reading the Questions for Reflection.  Answer the questions during group in an outward-focused way that encourages the members of your CG to think outside the box.
• Email mercy@sojournchurch.com for the name of someone who is lonely and in need of a visit.  We have several elderly ladies within walking distance of the 930 that would love to see a friendly face during the week.
• Serve the poor every Saturday – Every Saturday afternoon, a group of Sojourners serve meals with Bates Memorial Baptist Church to needy families in Shelby Park neighborhood. Read about it “here”:http://seed.sojournchurch.com/2009/11/10/serve-meals-to-the-poor-every-saturday/at the Seed website and contact David Taliferio for more information at david.taliaferro@summitenergy.com.

May God bless you and may the Spirit move you to bless others during this new year!

Deacon Mark Minnery challenged all seed leaders with these five questions this past Feed & Seed luncheon.  See how well you do when answering the question “are you a good neighbor?”

1. Do you know the name of your neighbor on either side of your home or apartment?  Where do they work?  What do they do in their spare time?  Are they a part of a church body?
2. When was the last time you had someone from your street or complex into your home?  Have you shared a meal together?
3. Do your neighbors contact you when they are out of sugar or need help with a load of laundry when their dryer dies?
4. Who do your neighbors contact when they have tragedy in their lives?  Do they call you when there has been a lost job, a wrecked car or even a death in the family?
5. Can you call yourself a pastor in your neighborhood?  Do you show the self-sacrificing love of Christ Jesus to your neighbors?

We were reminded that we as Christians are to have a humble, self-sacrificing attitude.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!  Philippians 2:3-8

What is Neighboring?

Mark gave us his working definition: Neighboring is simply loving our neighbors by inviting them into our lives and thinking of them before ourselves.  We sacrifice our desires for God’s will and give our neighbors time we may not want to give them.  They may not respond with love in return.  They might even persecute you for showing them Christ’s love, but this is what God’s Word instructs us to do!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  John 13:34-35

What is the purpose of neighboring?

1. To invite people into Gospel community.
2. It gives the body the chance to be the body.  We don’t go to church; we are the body of believers, that is, the church.
3. It gives us an opportunity to die to self and our self-centered lives.  We stop building our kingdoms and queendoms and begin to think of others.  Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.  1 Cor. 10:24

What are some practical ways to practice neighboring?

1. Pray for your neighbors.  Think about their needs and contact them. (i.e. prayer walks)
2. Wave to your neighbors when passing by.  Be friendly even when you don’t want to love them, let alone like them.  A wave and a smile go a long way!
3. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.  If you have lived next door for 5, 10 or even 20 years and don’t know them, repent.  Take them cookies, knock on their door and ask for forgiveness (for not having taken the time to get to know them.)
4. Give your neighbors a card with your contact information and tell them to call if they are in need of assistance or during an emergency.
5. Offer them practical help.

• “If you need any help with your leaves next week, please do not hesitate to call me. I am open most Saturdays.”

• “Call me next time you’re out of town.  I would be more then happy to water your plants and bring in your mail”

What are some other ways we can practice neighboring?

Deacon Mark Minnery can be reached at mark@sptsolutions.com.  Every 2nd Sunday, from 12:45pm till 2:30pm at the 930, Sojourner’s interested in mercy ministry gather for lunch and community.  Be sure to join us next month as we discuss seed, evangelism and social engagement.

God has forgiven our sin and given us life through his Son, therefore let us with joy display this life by serving and showing our city what life is like under the reign and rule of such a gracious God!  Seed is here to equip you for a life of service and mission.  You never go at it alone.  Join us as we follow Christ.  Here are some suggestions for “Next Steps” and contact info for people who can help you get connected.

BRAND NEW to Seed

• Get involve in a Community Group – (Mike Crowe, mcrowe@sojournchurch.com)
• Mercy Monday’s every Monday at 6:30pm, 930 Listening Room. Join us for face-to-face mercy ministry in the city.  Everyone welcome.(Jesse Moss, jesse.moss@gmail.com)
• Monthly Service Opportunities – (seed.sojournchurch.com or email mercy@sojournchurch.com)
• Return to Next Month’s Feed and Seed – Every Second Sunday
  • Intro to Seed class starting next month
  • You and/or your Community Group can serve after lunch

INACTIVE CG Seed Leader

• Email mercy@sojournchurch.com and a Seed Coach will be in contact with you so that you and your group get plugged back in.
• Monthly Service Opportunities – (seed.sojournchurch.com or email mercy@sojournchurch.com)
• Contact the leader who is coordinating one of our City Partnerships – Review the City Partnerships Info Sheet.  (email mercy@sojournchurch.com)
• Mercy Monday’s at 6:30pm, 930 Listening Room, (Jesse Moss, jesse.moss@gmail.com).  Every Monday night you can plug in and get equipped for face-to-face ministry in the city.  Bring your group and get exposed to home visitations, prayer walking, and meeting neighbors in the city.
• Return to Next Month’s Feed and Seed
  • You and/or your Community Group can serve after lunch.

ACTIVE CG Seed Leader

• Enter a relationship with a “Just One” family.  (Jesse Moss, jesse.moss@gmail.com)
• Mercy Monday’s at 6:30pm, 930 Listening Room, (Jesse Moss, jesse.moss@gmail.com)
• Serve!  Join one of our city partnerships, do a street cleanup, or expose your group to the joy of serving together.  (To get ideas email mercy@sojournchurch.com)
• Return to Next Month’s Feed and Seed
  • Bring your community group to the Seed 101 class or Leader training session
• Step up into other Seed leadership roles (email Nathan Ivey for a list of leadership roles at nivey@sojournchurch.com).

God’s Word + good deeds = Seed. Grow your faith by putting it into action.  Join us.

Feed and Seed Luncheon September 13th – 12:30-2:30pm
Anyone interested in Seed is invited to attend this monthly potluck.  After lunch, there are several ways to get involved and serve.  You can help clean the rail road tracks and Swan Street or distribute the Sojourn Germantown Newsletter.  Seed Leaders will learn how to visit the sick and equip their groups for action.  Register online here.  http://sojourncommunity.ccbchurch.com/app/w_form_response.php?form_id=238

Mercy Mondays – Every Monday – 6:30pm-8:00pm
Every Monday evening we serve, visit and run errands for Germantown widows and residents.  This ministry will equip you for face-to-face mercy ministry in the city.  No one goes at it alone and everyone is guided by an experienced deacon.  We visit approximately eight families every Monday.  Contact Jesse Moss at mercy@sojournchurch.com for additional information.

Feeding the Poor – September 5, 12, 19, 26 – 11:30am-1:30pm
Bring your family and be blessed as you share a meal with poor families who live in our neighborhood.  Contact David Taliaferro at david.taliaferro@summitenergy.com for more information.

Handyman Meet Up – Wednesday September 23, 6:30pm.
Leaking gutters, busted pipes, broken doors, rusty windows and rotted ramps are all problems that occur in the 100+ year old homes in Germantown.  Join us if you are good with your hands and willing to sacrifice your time to fix things up.  You must email us to attend, since we meet off campus.   Contact Andy Robinette at mercy@sojournchurch.com for more information.

Sojourn Fall Festival Leadership Team – September 13th – 9:30am-11:00am
Sojourn hosts a fall festival every year with over 1,000 people attending.  There is free food, music, games, petting zoo, cakewalk and more.  Join the leadership team as we plan for this year’s festival scheduled for October 17th.  We meet every other week for 6 more weeks.  Contact Nathan Ivey at nivey@sojournchurch.com.

Help Deepen Our City Partnerships – September 20th – 4:00pm-5:00pm
Seed has partnered with several non-profits, neighborhood associations, churches and businesses in order to serve and bless the city.  If you want to learn to be a point person to facilitate one of our partnerships, please come to this meeting.  Individuals trained are responsible for coordinating Sojourn efforts for the agency that is closest to their heart and passion.  Contact Nathan Ivey at nivey@sojournchurch.com for additional information.

Give a ride to church – Every Sunday and Wednesday.  Let us know if you can pick someone up and bring them to church for worship or classes.  Contact the Coordination Team at mercy@sojournchurch.com for information.

As group life gets fired back up, don’t forget that there are several new ways to encourage you, your group or your family to serve and be on mission together.

1.  Second Sunday Lunch and Serve – every 2nd Sunday groups, individuals or families can join the monthly potluck and serve immediately after.
2.  Seed 101 – Learn the biblical foundations and catch a vision for city renewal.  Join us by attending the 2nd Sunday Lunch and get equipped after the meal.
3.  Mercy Mondays – Beginning on the 17th, there will be a group of mercy deacons ready to equip you, your family and your group for face-to-face mercy ministry.
4.  “Just One” – The goal this year is that each community group adopt a family in need as we serve and minister to them in the name of Christ.

St. Matthews Campus News
Seed St. Matthews completed their first major service project last Saturday.  A fence was built at The Walden School.  The response from the school has been one of gratitude.  Keep up the great work!  Thank you Mark Minnery for leading Seed St. Matthews.

Germantown Campus News
This week alone, there has been three neighborhood families who have come to the 930 seeking financial help.  This does not include the ten to twenty phone calls we receive each week for assistance.  Will your group follow up and share Jesus with “Just One” of these families?

One elderly woman, Frida, will need help finding an apartment by the end of the month and we will need a group to help her pack and move.  She believes in God, but does not know Jesus.  We shared with her the gospel and she wants to learn more.  Frida said she will come to the 5pm service this Sunday because “something is going on here.”  We know that the “something” she senses is Jesus.  Please contact Jesse Moss at jesse.moss@gmail.com if you want to help minister to Frida.

There is also another woman, Monica, who could use a good friend.  She is a lonely single mother who is searching for “something more.”  We shared the gospel and prayed for her.  She said that no one has ever spent the time to explain the gospel to her.  She wants to know more about “this Son of God who gives rest for the soul.”  Monica said she would attend the 5pm service this Sunday because of the kindness we showed her.  She wants to know if all Sojourners are all as nice and real as the ones she met when she shared her needs with us.  If you would like to meet her, let Jesse Moss know at jesse.moss@gmail.com.

We have also ministered to three member families so far this week who are going through difficult times.  Please keep the Sojourn body in your prayers.

Service This Weekend…

Handy Man Meet up – This Sunday – 9:30am
If you are good with your hands, or know of someone who is, come to this meet up where we will be discussing how to bring God’s restoration to the homes in our neighborhoods.  Sojourn receives requests for home repairs on a frequent basis.  Be part of this exciting group who will help lead Community Groups to accomplish home renovations.

Germantown Newsletter – This Sunday – 12:30pm-1:30pm
Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy a conversation with local residents as you distribute Sojourn’s Germantown Newsletter. Come celebrate all that God is doing in our neighborhood. Contact Brian Dausman at Brian.dausman@mercer.com

Check out the service calander for upcoming events, training, and service opportunities.