April 2010 - Rethink Church; Change the World
Are you ready to help change the world?
On April 24-25, United Methodists all across the globe will go out into their communities to serve others. It’s a weekend to Change the World, to demonstrate how people working together can make a difference.
“As The United Methodist Church, we have worried too much about getting numbers into our churches instead of getting the people in our churches out into the world in relevant ways,” said the Rev. Mike Slaughter in his new book Change the World: Recovering the Mission and Message of Jesus.
“Even our smallest churches can have incredible impact when they leave their four walls to serve the needs of their neighbors, alongside of their neighbors,” he explains.
Change the World weekend coincides with World Malaria Day, April 25. That’s the day our denomination officially kicks off Imagine No Malaria, a campaign to eliminate the killer disease in Africa by 2015. In Western PA, the campaign is already underway.
“We all want to see change in the world and by serving our local communities, we get to see that change up close and personal. But we can also touch those we do not see and may never meet. By raising awareness and funds, we can save lives and conquer malaria – a disease that the U.S. has already defeated.” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.
Congregations are invited to schedule a community-based workday, participate in a Sleep-Out to End Malaria, and use World Malaria Day sermon starters for worship. A special offering is encouraged to support the fight against malaria.
To get started:
- Consider how your congregation currently impacts its community. Do you have a food pantry, a clothing closet, an ESL (English as Second Language) program, or a tutoring program?
- Schedule an activity related to either that existing ministry or launch a new outreach ministry on either April 24 or 25,.
- Visit www.rethinkchurch.org for examples, ideas and additional information.
- To illustrate the impact of United Methodists in service around the world, United Methodist Communications is using Google Earth. Be sure someone registers your church’s project through links at www.RethinkChurch.org as soon as it’s planned so it will show on the Google Earth map.
For information on the Sleep-Out to End Malaria, go to www.ImagineNoMalaria.org.