In our church this year we have had an underlying theme of "mobilising for mission." At the beginning of the year I encouraged/challenged our church to get out more. It is easy for any church to become inward looking and isolated from the reality of what is going on around us. Not interacting and engaging with our communities is probably the greatest danger to the survival of the church in the UK. I am passionate about the church response, through mission, as to how we become a creditable partner in the places we seek to serve. A number of people have had to ask me over the past year " so where is the Salvation Army in Aspley?" Hoping people will come to us is not a viable solution to resolving the question.
A few weeks ago, whilst I was away, God presented us with an exciting mission opportunity. We were offered (and agreed to take on) an Allotment in our local area (only a ten min walk from the church). Its 600sq yards (very big) that has a small shack, concrete paths, a few trees, compost bin next to 94 other plots. It was over grown but the probation Pay Back team have been in to help begin clearing it up for us. It's a really exciting project for us to undertake and use as a way of expressing our faith and love for God to the local community. The Mustard Tree Allotment will be run as a community allotment where groups from the church (i.e Parents and Toddlers and After School Club) can use but also groups and individuals from the local area can get involved. The produce that we grow will be used in a variety of ways; used in our Drop In, given in food parcels and given to a local community market (Aspley's Miles Better).
There is a lot to do but such is the opportunity and potential for our church to be involved in it's community, how can re resist. As one of our members prayer "Lord, help us to grasp this opportunity with both hands." This is just one way I believe we can use to engage in mission, with significant practical and spiritual impacts on our church and the community we are seeking to serve.
Matt
