We encourage you to forward this e-newsletter to your leadership and staff teams to keep informed about what's happening across the VMC network. If you would like to get this in your inbox every month, simply reply to this email and say "subscribe".
|
|
Missional Use of Space - October 2022 |
|
Church Auditorium = Karate Studio |
A church auditorium transformed into a karate studio one night a week. That’s how Hillside Church in London, ON is using their space. It helps that pastor Shane Simms and his wife, Yvonne, and two teenage daughters are all trained as martial artists. The teenagers have already earned their black belts, and Shane and Yvonne are only about 1 year behind them!
Every Wednesday night, the auditorium is cleared out so there’s open space for about 30 children ages 6 to 12. Then, on the other side of the wall, there’s a cafe set up with coffee and donuts and a big screen so the parents can watch their kids in the karate class. People from the church act as hosts and welcome their guests. Others sponsor the children and cover the costs of the karate belts.
There’s challenges, of course. It’s the post-covid realities that make it tough to get things started again.
It’s the unfortunate decreasing trust in churches - due to lingering stereotypes of churches wanting people’s money, the current number of sex scandals among church leaders, and the questionable association with residential schools. It also takes time to figure out who’s in the neighbourhood and how to best serve them.
It means asking people to give them a chance -
Which in this case, meant asking people to attend free karate classes at the local church. To give it a try.
Pray for Hillside as they get to know their neighbours and start to earn their trust!
|
|
 |
Church Hall
It was a big space.
How do we use this space well?
For the flourishing of the neighbourhood?
So they wondered about the possibilities and asked God to bring whoever needed their church hall to their attention.
In the end, it became a gift of space and a place to call home, for
a community band,
some new Canadians,
an artist,
a group of local junior high youth,
a computer programmer,
a yoga class.
Sharing the church hall space (known as Aurora Community Commons) with their community has provided them with opportunities for new relationships in their community.
In fact, they feel like God has gifted them with new friends and neighbours.
So they continue on - getting to know the people around them and
taking heed of Jesus’ second greatest commandment,
loving their neighbours as themselves,
one step at a time.
|
|
|
|
Parking Lot
A church parking lot!
Yes - a big empty space for most of the week for lots of churches.
But Saanichton Bible Fellowship on Vancouver Island wondered if their proximity to the local hospital might be a potential opportunity.
They wanted to serve their health care workers as they serve the community.
So more than ten years ago, as a way to show appreciation, they opened up their parking lot to the hospital workers for free parking space.
They even go the extra mile and on an early Wednesday morning, you can catch the Common Grounds team setting out a table with fresh coffee and homemade muffins.
Or as one regular said, “You should change your sign. It should actually read fresh coffee, homemade muffins, and love - because that it is what you offer!”
It started with a question: “Would the community notice if the church wasn’t here?”
That prompted this little action of hospitality.
Carol and the rest of the team show up faithfully, pray regularly, and welcome the hospital workers with the love of Jesus each week.
Relationships have formed.
Connection has strengthened.
And together we trust that the Spirit is at work.
|
|
|
|
|
Indoor Playground
Indoor playground space.
It might not be the first thing churches think of to include in their renovation plan or even imagine as a missional use of physical space.
However, slides and tunnels and bouncy balls - this is how Creekside Church in Waterloo, ON connects and serves young families in their area.
They designated space in their church for an indoor playground for parents and children to enjoy for drop-in play time during the week.
They also arranged with local schools for children with special needs to come and use the playground as part of their school program.
People from the church host the play times and are a friendly face to those who come.
Creekside Church has seen how people come and enjoy the play space, meet people, and then become curious about church and join the faith community.
A playground space doesn’t work for everyone but, Chris Burge (Co-lead executive pastor) says the key is to find out what the community needs and how the church community is gifted and able.
Then dream and pray and plan accordingly.
|
|
|
|
Showers & Bathrooms
When Hurricane Fiona hit the Maritimes, thousands of people on Prince Edward Island lost power.
Which is fine for a day or two and then things get a little tricky.
Hopefully you’ve remembered to fill your bathtub and all your camping containers with water so you can flush the toilet and maybe wash a few dishes.
But what about taking a shower?
It seems like a luxury!
The church was open for several afternoons so people could drop in and enjoy running water before heading back to their dark houses.
Someone was there to say hello and make them feel at home.
Who would have thought that having showers at the church would be used as a way to welcome people and practise hospitality in the name of Jesus?
It turns out that hurricanes provide such an opportunity!
Photo creds: Raquel Navalon Alvarex (Unsplash)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Every week, we share stories from across our network of churches that show how God is at work in and through His people.
Here are a few recent stories:
|
|
Monthly VMC Prayer Meetings - Please join us! |
Did you know that a prayer team gathers online monthly to praise God for the work he is doing among VMC churches and leaders and to intercede for the personal and ministry challenges they face. If you have prayer requests, please send them - we would be happy to pray for you!
Would you like to minister to others in prayer? Send us your name and email and we’ll invite you to join us on Zoom for an hour of prayer, the first Thursday of each month. Worried you won’t be able to make it every time? Most of us can’t—just connect those months that you’re available.
The VMC prayer team gathers on the first Thursday of the month at the following times across the country: 1:00-2:00pm (Atlantic), Noon-1:00pm (Eastern), 11:00-Noon (Central), 10:00-11:00am (Mountain) and 9:00-10:00am (Pacific).
|
|
|
Click the link below for the full poster:
WayBase is a digital platform that helps churches and people connect and work together for good. It has two components: a website and a mobile app. The WayBase website helps Christian leaders connect and work together to serve the greatest needs in their area. Engage is a new discipleship app that helps church communities connect in meaningful ways and engage spiritual life in a new way.
All VMC churches have access to a pre-paid subscription, along with training, resources, and workshops from the Waybase team. Sign up today at www.waybase.com/vmc
|
|
|
|
Have you seen our new and refreshed website?
Take a moment and check it out today!
|
|
|
519-725-1212 or toll-free 1-877-509-5060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
