From big to small -Do Not Be Afraid! The Nehemiah Challenge Hospitality in a Box From big to small -Do Not Be Afraid! The Nehemiah Challenge

What does your typical day look like? Please make a list of what a day in your ministry looks like?

Are there areas in your ministry that can be streamlined? Looking at your typical day, circle any areas that could be streamlined.

How can it be streamlined? Bulletins made reuseable 18-month calendar

The Hospitality of Engaging your Community! Once some areas of your ministry have been streamlined you can turn to the important work of engaging your community!

How can you engage your community to find a need? Become a member of Rotary Become a member of Chamber of Commerce Visit local Schools Visit the Library Attend Council meetings Walk around your neighborhood-ask and listen

Let’s make the parish the center of the community Developing a Ministry Some ideas might be…. Community Need Event Program Place to Meet Let’s make the parish the center of the community

Beginning to Plan Who What Where Why & How The Nehemiah Challenge is to imagine and build a way to engage your community!

WHY! Why does the community need this event? Is there a purpose for the event? Is there a need in your community?

WHY! Is there a need for fun in your parish? Do you need to form community in your parish?

WHAT? What type of event will be successful in your community?

From easy to more intense! EVENT SUGGESTIONS! From easy to more intense! *Movie night *Food Bank *BBQ *Beach Worship *Fashion Show *5K Run * Celtic Festival *Bible Study *Clothes Drive *PotLuck *New Worship Service *Christmas Bazaar

OK, Now What? We’ve listened to the community. We have identified a need.

WHAT? What is needed? Volunteers Food/Drink Supplies Equipment Permits

Sample Event -2007 Parish is not allowed to have a sign on the highway so no one knew where they were. The parish was dying, but they wanted to live! People needed a lift, they needed some fun!

Sample Event 2007 cont. After Rector joined the board of a local daycare, they learned that they always needed money. Church is located in a tourist area, and they wanted to engage the tourist/snowbird community. Funds raised were going to be donated to the daycare and the parishioners were excited for a BBQ with Bluegrass music.

Unpacking the BBQ The parish went out into the community and discovered a need they could help with. The event was something they felt they could manage. They decided music and food would interest the community, raise money, be fun and put the church on the community map.

Unpacking the BBQ cont. A timeline was created and included a list of what was needed: food, drink, music, tables, chairs, plates, cups, napkins, people to attend and a couple of excited volunteers.

WHEN? Set a date on your 18 month calendar and check community/school calendars. Make sure your parish is available to attend and find a few people willing to help.

Sample Event The date chosen for the BBQ is the First Sunday in March. (make it a tradition) Snowbirds are still in town, no big events going on in the community , nice weather.

The church is the people not the building! WHERE? Do you want it at your parish? It lets people know where you are. Look at space that is not being used at your parish. Maybe an outside venue- partner with someone. The church is the people not the building!

Sample Event The annual Bluegrass and BBQ is held in the church parking lot. Brings lots of people in who never even knew the church was there.

WHO? Who is the event for? Who will help to put it on? Who will help clean up? Who do you invite? Invite people to help.

Great time to look outside your parish! WHO? Who are your resources? Who do you know? Has anyone else put on an event like this? Get tips/ideas. Great time to look outside your parish!

Resource Suggestions- Engage the Community Look inside and outside your parish Parish Sign up sheet Interact with local high school and community college Civic Groups Talk to businesses for free or borrowed supplies Work with the group you will be helping

Invite people who are willing to help. Sample Event The first BBQ had cooking done by one person with a good gathering of the parish, it has grown to an annual BBQ with help from local companies cooking and supplying food and many volunteers and sells out every year! Invite people who are willing to help.

HOW? How do you publicize the event? How do you get help? How do you make it a success? Define success, what does that look like to you...

Sample Event Get the word out…. FaceBook Constant Contact-email Newsletter Posters around town Church Website School & Community Websites

How to ensure success! Create a timeline to stay organized Remind people of the event Greet them when they come to the event Be prepared to invite them to a second event Try to capture names & contact information

How to ensure success! Ensure you have a clean up crew in place Have a wrap-up meeting and take notes- what worked/what didn't work/things to do next time

Sample Event This March, the annual Bluegrass and BBQ raised more than $3000.00 but even more importantly, a large group of people from all over the community came together to listen to an awesome local band, eat delicious food prepared by the local yacht club (who is having a free sailing camp for the kids) and support a great cause (free summer camp). They now know who the church is, what they do and where to come back to worship on Sunday! Many who have attended are now our parishioners. This event helps place the church in the center of the community. SUCCESS!

Engagement Spend the time listening to hear the need in your community. This template can work to organize a variety of forms of engagement…. *Mission Trips *Spiritual engagement and development *Local mission needs in your community *Fun/Fundraising *Program needs in your neighborhood

The Nehemiah Challenge! The Nehemiah Steering Team will choose one of the ideas and award a check for $500.00 towards the event selected. Please share all your events on the Nehemiah FaceBook page! www.facebook.com/nehemiahprocess

Don’t be afraid to fail every attempt is a stepping stone to success! Final Words Don’t be afraid to fail every attempt is a stepping stone to success!