incarnational strategy

As we think through which neighborhood God is calling us to plant the church, we know we want to focus on that specific neighborhood. This means that as we discern where, we are also discerning how we can reach that neighborhood and do life w/ our neighbors. And so we are asking a strategy question of God. "How do can we best serve the place You are calling us to?" Below are a few ways we could do it, that we are praying through, and I am asking you to pray through as well. Which one of these, or combination of these, strategies would best facilitate our outreach and life with the neighborhood? Or which strategy is missing? In all of these and other ideas, you should know that our primary calling is to build a new church that is worshiping, evangelizing, "fellowshipping", and praying. These ideas are a means to that end.

#1 - Open a community gathering space of some kind. This could be a coffee shop, another business, or something else, where we can gather w/ and meet our neighbors in a "non-churchy" setting, while having a place to meet for our "churchy things." This would be a place that focuses on addressing the needs and desires of the neighborhood, with a "place-centered focus."

#2 - Focus on the work of community development that is coupled w/ the regular work of the church. This would mean perhaps getting a small income from government, etc. grants to improve the neighborhood, while building up the church.

#3 - A blend of "secular" work and traditional ministry. This option would find me working part time in a secular workplace in a common place where our neighbors gather, w/ the intention of meeting people and developing relationships. We would live in the neighborhood, work in the neighborhood, and worship in the neighborhood.

#4 - Something else.

These are the options we are praying through this week, and probably more. Please join us in these petitions.

requests for 2.10.09 - 2.13.09

This week I am spending more time in a few neighborhoods in Bellingham. Today was Sehome, Wed. is York, and Thurs. is Downtown. Please pray that God would bring people into my path so I can gain some insight into the given neighborhood. Also continue to pray for that local ally (person of Peace) to find their way to us.
Thanks and blessings,
Aaron.