December 17, 2008
Interview with Jon Weece
Jon Weece explains how Southland Christian Church’s controversial Christmas outreach decision became a year-round commitment to serving people outside the church’s walls.
Community Outreach
Community Outreach helps churches and believers love their neighbors with practical compassion and gospel clarity. Explore Bible-based articles on serving local needs, building relationships, partnering with community organizations, and creating outreach ministries that are sustainable and effective. You’ll find guidance on evangelism, mercy ministry, hospitality, and engaging your city with wisdom—so outreach is more than an event and becomes a way of life. Whether your church is starting new initiatives or strengthening existing ones, these resources equip you to serve your community in Jesus’ name.
December 14, 2008
Disability Ministry in the Christian Church
Jim Pierson reflects on 25 years of disability ministry influence through CCFH, highlighting church resources, training partnerships, and congregations serving people with disabilities.
November 16, 2008
Changing Signs and Signs of Change in a Tulsa Congregation
Greg Taylor shares how Garnett Church of Christ turned its facility into Green Country Event Center, welcoming neighbors, churches, schools, and community groups as a sign of God’s kingdom.
August 31, 2008
Parents Matter
By Curtis Booher and Phyllis Fox Parents matter. More than anyone””peers, teachers, youth ministers””the greatest single influence on a teen is his parents. That may shock some parents who feel like a discarded shoe when their children reach adolescence. Research proves parents have the greatest effect on their children”s choices, including their religious and spiritual practices. Teens long to be cared for and taken seriously and they need authentic relationships with their parents and other caring adults. Christian parents need support from the church and that means more than youth group and Bible studies. The alarming rate of teen church
August 10, 2008
Mega Ministry in Miniature Actions
Mike Cahill shares how a small-town church’s simple hat and glove drive became a meaningful act of kingdom service, community partnership, and faithful outreach.
August 10, 2008
Thursday Night Pursuits
When hunting season emptied Sunday seats, Libby Christian Church launched a Thursday service for outdoorsmen—and discovered a creative outreach that reached hunters far beyond expectations.
Ministries Offering Help and Hope to Those in Need
Jennifer Taylor profiles eight churches and ministries serving the poor through food, clothing, tutoring, health care, recovery support, housing help, and neighborhood outreach across the country.
May 11, 2008
CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Church! Blur the Lines
Brad Canning shares how Church! Of Park Slope used Postmark Café and practical service to blur the lines between church and community in Brooklyn.
Understanding the Externally Focused Movement
Krista Petty talks with Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw about the externally focused church movement, community transformation, and how congregations can serve beyond their walls.
Making an Impact
Michael Brown shares how soccer, Jesus Pizza, and Total Athlete helped him build real relationships outside the church and connect with unchurched people in his community.
The Biblical Basis for Externally Focused Ministry
By Eric Swanson If you look long enough, you can find a “biblical basis” for almost anything. That”s what my friends and I discovered years ago when I was in college. We entertained ourselves by finding obscure passages to justify a wide and wild set of behaviors. (All of these are from the New American Standard Bible, my version of choice back then): “¢ Not wearing sweatshirts: “They shall not gird themselves with anything which makes them sweat” (Ezekiel 44:18). “¢ Sleeping in church: “I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of
April 30, 2008
External Focus, Careful Balance
Mark A. Taylor reflects on the challenge of balancing evangelism and social action, urging externally focused churches to bring together good deeds and good news.
February 27, 2008
Interview with Tom Ellsworth
Tom Ellsworth discusses how Beyond Your Backyard calls believers and churches to move beyond comfort zones through relationships and unselfish service, balancing outward community impact with inward discipleship and equipping.
October 14, 2007
TRIED & TRUE: Revivals: Let’s Revive Them!
Dale Wise reflects on the “old-fashioned revival” and why it can still bless a congregation. He shares what worked in his church and offers practical steps—music, preaching, children’s ministry, prayer, and publicity—to help revivals bear fruit.
September 16, 2007
Shining Light by Serving Schools
Colorado churches joined together through Sharefest to serve schools and community organizations with hands-on projects, saving significant labor costs and strengthening local partnerships—then concluded the weekend with a combined worship service and barbeque.
September 9, 2007
Feeding the Hungry
Pat Magness reflects on feeding hungry people at home and around the world, and how Jesus’ meals and miracles reveal that ordinary acts of provision can be holy obedience: “You give them something to eat.”
September 5, 2007
Earthly Hurts and an Eternal Perspective
Mark A. Taylor reflects on the church’s renewed commitment to compassion and community outreach—while urging believers not to lose sight of eternity, sin, and salvation as they serve “the least of these.”
August 22, 2007
Can the Church Impact Culture?
Church leaders share how congregations can impact culture by going beyond their walls—serving schools, shelters, and neighborhoods—while keeping disciple-making central, not merely counting how many newcomers were never part of a church.
August 12, 2007
We Turned Vision into Action
Mount Pleasant Christian Church built a six-week “Imagine” series on Matthew 25 and paired each message with action—food and clothing drives, orphan support, AIDS caregiver kits for Zimbabwe, and focused prayer for the persecuted church.
August 12, 2007
Ministering to the Least of These: Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY
Southland Christian Church shares how it addresses HIV/AIDS and world hunger through global partnerships and local outreach. Learn how ministries in Africa and initiatives in Lexington aim to break cycles of need through care, support, and discipleship.
