An externally focused church that is present and involved in the community begins the process of changing the community. - Eric Swanson
A nearby elementary school, a local high school, and a senior adult Bible study group…these are only a few groups being touched and transformed through the efforts of a local “externally focused church.” North Phoenix Baptist Church’s (NPBC) vision of living God’s love in the heart of our city began just 2 years ago. Church staff read a book called The Externally Focused Church and were moved by a desire to truly transform their community. The church’s mission is to challenge people to discover and live a Christ-centered life. This simply means loving God and loving people. If God’s people actively love and serve those in their community, then they are reflecting a Christ-centered life. Hence, the church’s vision of living God’s love in the heart of our city has become the primary filter for all that NPBC does.
The church uses “the funnel approach” as a transformative process in teaching church members how to find that area in which they have a special burden or passion to serve and to show God’s love in their community. NPBC offers a variety of servant events and experiences where the people in the church have the opportunity to go out into the community and serve. The people of the church participating in these service opportunities make up the top of the funnel. We Serve Week, a church and city wide event held in October, provided just such an experience. From hosting a staff appreciation breakfast at a local elementary school to walking 3 miles for hunger, volunteers experienced different kinds of service around their community. Serving in this event also gave volunteers a chance to see firsthand how much they are needed in their community. At the end of the weeklong event, the church family gathered to celebrate how God had worked in the community, in neighborhood relationships and in individual lives throughout the week. What’s Your One Hour? Is a follow-up to the WeServe Week event that aims to help people continue to experiment with different ways to serve. NPBC offers ongoing opportunities for people to serve in their community by partnering with organizations that need help. Such organizations, called “Serve Partners”, can even request help through the church’s website.
In “the funnel approach” that NPBC uses, an individual moves to the bottom of the funnel when he or she finds that special area of service where they “click”, where they truly enjoy serving, and where they have a burden or passion to give of themselves. Communicating their journey to find this “niche” and sharing their stories of transformation is an important part of inspiring others. It also highlights available service opportunities and ultimately becomes a part of transforming the church body. NPBC is moving towards using their website as a vehicle to allow church members to share their stories.
Living God’s love in the heart of our city is one church’s vision to simply love God and love people…and it’s working. Check out What Does It Mean to Live God’s Love in the Heart of Our City? for stories of people and organizations transformed.
Eric Swanson is the co-author of the book, The Externally Focused Church, which NPBC staff read together as they sought to move the church toward deeper community involvement. You have the opportunity to hear this author speak and meet him. Eric Swanson will lead a presentation and dialogue on Community Transformation on Friday, December 2, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., in the Chapel at North Phoenix Baptist Church (5757 N. Central Avenue, southeast corner of Central and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix). Eric is the co-author of To Transform a City: Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole City, as well as The Externally Focused Church and other excellent books on community impact and transformation. The event is free, but seating is limited, so please reserve your place by sending an email to azcommunityministries@gmail.com or by calling 480-525-7305.
Please come and learn more about impacting your community for Christ!
Thank you to Kelly Young, NPBC Minister to Community Volunteers, for sharing this story.
