How to Serve Your City When You Aren't a Megachurch

[How to Serve Your City When You Aren?t a Megachurch] How to Serve Your City When You Aren't a Megachurch | [View online]( [ChristianityToday.org]( [Local Church Outreach Newsletter]( Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Batteries Not Included A few years back, my small group had a [white elephant gift exchange]( to celebrate Christmas. I lost (won?) the exchange when I opened a giant box, only to find a series of progressively smaller boxes, packaged inside one another like Russian dolls. Finally, I unwrapped the smallest box and pulled out two Energizer AA batteries. I wasn't exactly thrilled (and no one wanted to steal them—go figure). Yet in the right context, batteries make amazing gifts. When I was growing up, three words brought more pain and sorrow on Christmas morning than any other phrase in the English language: "Batteries not included." I remember one December 25 in particular when I would have given anything to find two AA batteries in my stocking—instead, I had to wait a full 24 hours to bring my robot dinosaur to life. Churches with limited resources may feel like significant city impact is impossible. We find ourselves thinking, If only we had more people, or, If only we had more money … then we could start this ministry we've dreamed about. But as Daryl Crouch suggests in our [featured article]( this week, churches don't always have to launch their own ministries to serve their communities. Instead, they can act like batteries, powering organizations already serving in key areas. By supporting the efforts of these established organizations, churches can extend their reach beyond what they would be capable of doing alone, and they can form valuable partnerships with other city influencers, regaining relational capital that is hard to come by these days. As Daryl writes, "Our opportunity to impact people begins with our willingness to invest in them." Blessings, [Editor] [Kyle Rohane](mailto:outreach@christianitytoday.com) Editor Sponsored by NavPress [What Your Church Looks Like When We Actually Follow Jesus]( 'What would we do if we actually did follow Jesus?' The simple and profound response: 'We'd go where he went and do what he did.' Brilliant. So where do we go? Local Mission to Serve Your City When You Aren't a Megachurch]( Our resources are limited, but that hasn't stopped us. Daryl Crouch Outreach & Evangelism Lent to Your Congregation]( It starts with your example. Aaron Damiani Church Planting [Today's Devotion]( We Need a Missiological Edge in Church Planting]( Bigger and better AND deeper and further Ed Stetzer Global Mission Unexpected: A Ministry to Widows in the Ukraine]( The Kiev Symphony Orchestra cares for widows and orphans. Brian C. Stiller Culture & Politics God the (Olympic) Glory: Christian Athletes to Watch in PyeongChang]( These athletes walked with God along the arduous road to the Olympics. Gina Dalfonzo Practical Training [Partnering with Community Agencies]( Learn the potential advantages and pitfalls of bringing your church alongside non-profits and businesses to serve the community. More from CT Pastors [The 4 Great Challenges of Christian Counseling]( Pastors must prepare to bear these burdens as they meet with parishioners. Kara Bettis [No Easter Without Good Friday]( How Lent prepared me to celebrate the Resurrection. Michael Hidalgo [How to Honor Singles in Your Church]( Singles need space for grieving and celebration—and the church can offer both. Joy Beth Smith Related Free eNewsletters Each weekly issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( Inspire life-changing community innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( [Local Church Outreach]( Delivered via email to subscribers weekly. [Subscribe]( | [Email Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2018 [ChristianityToday.org]( Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.