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Growing Opportunities
Common Ground
For years, West Seattle (Washington) Christian Church struggled to keep its urban campus attractive. Inspired by the church’s “inside/out” philosophy emphasizing outward-focused ministry, grounds ministry team leader Aaron Hernandez suggested a new approach.
“For an urban location, we have a large campus,” says Dan Jacobs, a pastoral artist at the church. “Aaron connected with Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, an organization that encourages gardeners to donate surplus food to local food banks that usually lack fresh produce. We developed the plot next to our arts center and give all the food away.” (You can read about WSCC’s arts center in the February 25, 2007, “Buzz,” available on our Web site.)
The church also found new use for a city-owned (but church-maintained) swath of land on the edge of its property; the city agreed to tier the sloping plot for easy access, and West Seattle Christian will offer portions as private gardens for individuals or families.
“These gardening initiatives not only beautify the property, they lead to more goodwill and more conversations with local people than anything else we do,” Jacobs says. “I told Aaron it was a brilliant idea, and he just humbly said, ‘Well, isn’t this what we’re supposed to be doing?’”
To watch Aaron describe the garden (and his mistakes with the mustard greens!) visit http://blip.tv/file/1055709.
www.westseattlechristian.org
Blessed Friends
After six years as senior pastor of Southwest Christian Church (Temecula, California), plus decades of service as a worship leader and gospel singer, Murray Hollis deserves to enjoy his retirement. Instead, he’s using his experience to encourage other leaders—and he’s doing it for free.
Hollis created Christian Friends Connexion to provide advice and practical help to churches and ministry leaders experiencing difficulty.
“Many of our churches are hurting,” Hollis says. “Some face disagreements and power struggles escalating to a point of open dissension. Others don’t understand the need for teamwork between staff members. Some struggle to create multicultural churches, and of course many still fight over worship styles.”
CFC addresses these problems through personal consultations, speaking, and writing. Hollis often involves other leaders with particular expertise.
“During one recent project I invited an experienced Christian counselor, a church financial administrator, and two well-known area pastors. It took six months, but that congregation is now mending relationships and creating a new governance structure for elders and deacons.”
Hollis and friends also help churches prepare for future growth.
“Younger preachers often find it difficult to assume the senior minister role and build rapport with older church members,” he says. “We work with both groups to establish trust so they can seize opportunities for ministry.”
A new book, Preacher, You’ve Got Friends, also aims to encourage struggling leaders. Tom Moll, Shan Rutherford, Marshall Leggett, Wally Rendel, Ben Merold, and many others have teamed with Hollis to write sections of the book.
“We accept no payment, other than expenses, for our work,” Hollis says. “It’s wonderful to see so many leaders, many not even named on our Web site, setting aside time from their own ministries and selflessly doing what it takes to assist churches crying out for help.”
www.christianfriendsconnexion.com
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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