Compassionate Congregations
The following are some ways your congregation can be a voice for compassion in your community and around the world.
Work & Witness
Build a team from your church or district or just raise funds to go towards a project. Projects can be local or international and include construction, technical assistance, evangelism, and compassionate ministries. Find one that your group can really connect to or begin your own project. For information on Work & Witness opportunities go to workandwitness.org.
Offerings
Besides normal tithes and offerings that go towards supporting your local church, there are regular opportunities to give to special offerings that support the wider church and special ministries. Keep an eye out for the chance to give to Alabaster, Faith Promise, Easter, Thanksgiving, and other offerings. Also consider ways that you can promote these offerings in your church or district.
30 Hour Famine
The Nazarene 30 Hour Famine powered by World Vision is an incredible way to participate in what God is doing through Christians in Malawi. Funds raised by Nazarene congregations will specifically go to help children and families in the World Vision and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries sponsored Mutendere Area Development Project in the Mzimba district of Malawi. Through this partnership, 3,000 farmers will receive training in sustainable agricultural methods that will help provide food stability for families and children. To sign your church up to be a part of the Nazarene 30 Hour Famine, simply click here to set up a profile and receive FREE materials. For more information visit the ACT section on the 30 Hour Famine.
Organize a Food or Clothes Bank
If there is a significant portion of your neighborhood that could benefit from assistance with food or clothing, meet that need. Dedicate a room or area in the church to storing donations. Collect from congregation members, businesses, and neighbors. Give out donations once a week or month. As donations increase, so can the frequency of your distribution.
Open the Church Building
The church building often goes unused for the majority of the week. Finds ways to make it hospitable and open to the community:
- Start a day care
- Serve meals
- Host support and recovery groups (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, grief recovery, marriage counseling)
- Use the gym for a basketball league
- Have regular game/movie nights for youth
The church building is one of our most valuable resources. Let’s not waste it.
Compassionate Ministry Center
When your congregation has found a consistent community need to minister to, it is time to start a CMC. As a separate legal entity, your CMC can partner with other churches and businesses to provide for the people of your community. For step-by-step instructions on how to get started, visit the CMC Resources Page.
Fundraisers
If you prefer to donate funds, here are some examples of ways to raise money and bond as a group:
- Walk-a-thon — Organize a walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon, or any a-thon to raise support and awareness for a need.
- Benefit Concert — Organize a benefit concert which features a local musician or artist.
- Cultural Night — Choose a country or area of the world and then make food from that country, put up a map, wear clothing, play music, and teach phrases and customs from that culture.
- Silent Auction — Create a silent auction with items donated by church members and then use the proceeds to make a difference.
- Donate Services — Host an event where people donate a service, such as washing cars, cleaning houses, doing massage therapy, and others bid on or buy the services.
- Beans and Rice Lunch — Host a lunch after service at your church and take donations. This is a great, and often cheaper, alternative to eating out at a restaurant.
- Other — The possibilities are endless. The proceeds from any fundraiser you can come up with can be used to ease the struggles of a less fortunate neighbor.
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