The music is courtesy of Matt and Joanna Black.  Check out their website at MattAndJoannaBlack.com

PCY Project February 2010 from Crosspoint Church on Vimeo.

For the second year, Crosspoint Church is participating in the HALLOWEENIE ROAST!  The Halloweenie Roast is an outreach designed for parents of kids who are trick or treating.  Since kids are the ones who get all of the goodies on the 31st, we decided that this was a huge opportunity to serve parents who are being dragged up and down the street by their kids in their pursuit of candy.

We’ve encouraged everyone here at Crosspoint to set-up their grills in their front lawn and offer Free Hotdogs and drinks to moms and dads in the community.  It’s a simple way of saying “God Loves You” to parents during this night that usually focuses on the kids.

If you are interested in how the Halloweenie Roast works, here’s the video we sent out to all of the Small Group Leaders who are facilitating the event:

Halloweenie Roast Prep Video from Crosspoint Church on Vimeo.

Every semester Crosspoint Small Groups head up a couple of outreach projects and at each of those projects we’ll have some folks who are unconnected take part as well.  Here’s a Top 5 on the best ways to maximize small group outreach projects as a small group facilitator:

1. Be an inviter - Your small group should never be exclusive, so these projects are another way to invite people to be a part of your group who might not have felt comfortable at someone else’s home at first.  Outreach projects at the part are typically a great first time invite. (see BONUS down at the bottom)

2. Recognize the first timers – Before you begin, find out who has never participated in this type of project before.  Don’t think that just because you have drop off donuts a few times before that everyone knows how to do it or how to even explain what they are doing with others.  Thank the folks who are there for the first time and share instructions with everyone to put them at ease.

3. Contact AND Follow-Up - This is simple, a phone call reminder the day before and a thank you call the day after will go a long, long way!

4. Celebrate successes and admit failures – Take some time during your small group meetings to share the successes you have had serving others, it will help folks look forward to their time of serving.  And while you’re at it, let them know about some of the failures you’ve had.  Some reason hearing that you’ve already received some “no thank you’s” or “get outta heres!” will help put people at ease.

5. Debrief – Talk about your time of serving.  Let people share their own stories, how they felt, and what they were thinking.  It’s also a great opportunity to share some vision about why we do what we do.

BONUS: Make a day of it! – Outreach doesn’t have to just be an “In and Out” experience.  Take the opportunity to serve and play with your Small Group.  Some of the best experiences as a community come when you spend some time serving the park that you will later hang out in.  So hand out some waters, and then huddle up under a pavilion for a group picnic.

This isn’t a top 5 about guaranteed results, this is all about making the experience a memorable and life-changing event not just for those who get served, but also for those who are serving!

Tips:
#1. Be a noticer – Pay attention to your surroundings, eavesdrop, be a people watcher, either way you’ll never know the opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life if you’re not looking.  Jesus was a noticer, I often think about his teaching on “The Widow’s Mite”.  Jesus was at the temple and through people watching he noticed a woman who gave everything she had in one tiny mite.

#2. Keep outreach/Invite cards handy – This is all about equipping.  An act of kindness without some form of connection is simply a random act of kindness.  Now, while those are great and all, the opportunity to match your act of kindness with an opportunity to connect with Jesus is priceless!

Here are a couple of examples of what we use at Crosspoint.

#3. Let them know why you do what you do. - There’s usually an opportunity that pops up when someone says “Why are you doing this?”  That’s when I take the opportunity to say, “I just wanted to show you God’s love in a practical way!” A simple sentence with a BIG impact!

If you want to find out more about Servant Evangelism and Outreach check out these books below or visit ServantEvangelism.com:

So here are my TOP 5 ways that you can serve others on your own and during your day to day (this is stuff I personally like to do):

#5. Buy a cashier a drink. - When I’m in line at the supermarket, one of my favorite things to do is to just simply ask the cashier what their favorite drink is. When they respond I tell them, “I’ll be right back”, and return with a cold beverage of their choice. I pay for it and leave it for them with an invite card.

#4. Donut Drops - I pop into businesses all the time for different errands… nothing says “Jesus loves you” like a free box of donuts! (sometimes it might even get you to the front of the line!)

#3. Water Handout - Some cold water when it’s hot will make any delivery guy’s day.  It’s a practical way to show God’s love!

#2. BIG Tipper - I love to go out to eat, and typically I’m a good tipper, but sometimes I like to leave a big tip just to let the wait staff know that they are appreciated.  This is the front side of the card that I usually leave behind:

#1. Pay it backward! – Whether you’re in the drive-thru at Starbucks or picking up a Happy Meal, the shock and awe on the person’s face when you pay their meal is priceless!  Give them an invite card and let them know why you do what you do.

Whatever you choose to do, do as if you are serving Jesus himself.  If He was hungry would you feed Him?  If He was thirsty would be give Him a drink?  You can serve God easily by serving others!