What’s Happening on Monday?

[Written for ministries, but useful for all.]

The breeze and crashing waves are like the sweetest symphony. One step after another, we tread upon the aged beams that make up the Daytona Beach Main Street Pier. What a beautiful sight – seagulls, sunlight, and an endless horizon. The smells of all things ocean wisp through our nostrils. We have arrived.

The line dangled there for just a little while. Weighted down and carrying a fiddler crab, it did not take long to notice the movement. The tip of the rod bent ever so slightly and with a swift tug, I had it. I was so excited! Now all I had to do was just reel it in.

Fortunately, my dad had shown me the ropes. With a few aggressive tugs of the rod and vigorous winding of the reel, my work was done; or so I thought. I had caught a hammerhead shark. Now, before you are too impressed with me, it was a young one – about two feet long. What a moment! I will never forget it.

I really enjoy fishing. To hear that story, you may think that I do it often. Nope. I caught that hammerhead shark and threw it back about 25 years ago. And that is probably the last time I fished. I am clueless now. I would stick out like a sore thumb on that pier today. “Look, he has no clue,” the professionals would likely say. Someone would most likely have to give me a hand.

•••

Sadly, there are some churches in our neighborhoods that stick out like sore thumbs. For various reasons, neighboring residents have no idea what the local church does or is about and vice versa — the local church has no idea who lives around them, nor what is happening in their lives.

Can your church answer the question? Do you know what’s happening on Monday? If not, this article is for you. A great way to be more influential is to see what’s happening throughout the week. We cannot expect to deeply influence a community by spending one day per week with them.

What athletes become professionals by practicing one day per week? None. It is quite difficult to improve your skills if you do not practice regularly. Similarly, our ministries must engage in the community more often to better connect with local residents.

We become better parents when we spend time with our kids. We become better leaders when we understand those we are leading. We become more significant churches when we get involved in the communities.

As we prepare for Sundays, let us be aware of what’s happening on Mondays. Maybe then, the opposite will be true. Churches will know their neighbors and vice-versa.

Here are a few ways to INgage outside of Sundays:

• Live within the same community as the church.
• Deeply invest into up to eight relationships.
• Collaborate with neighboring churches.
• Befriend local business owners.

Until next time…