There winter retreat has come to an end and many of us are now asking the question: now what? I had a conversation with an individual right after the retreat and he asked me, “This movement sounds interesting and all, but what do I do now?” Below are five practical steps that you can take to get more involved in this movement:
1. Serve the Church!
I’m often asked how this movement fits into our church. In a nut shell, the movement is an expression of the church -- but it must never be mistaken for the church itself. When the church is vibrant, healthy, and growing, members naturally go forth and go out to restore and shine light into a hurting and dying world. That’s why it is so important that we love and invest in the local church. For some, this means committing to the local church and becoming a member. For others, it means rolling up your sleeves and joining a ministry team for the first time or finding ways to serve your small group community. So in summary, “Don’t just stand there. Do something!”
2. Participate in a Summer Missions Project
For those of us in Ann Arbor, it is not too late to apply for a domestic summer missions project. One of the best ways to use time off in the summer is to learn more about God’s heart for people and to add value to a community. Our summer missions project in Ann Arbor this summer will be focused on growing our reach and influence in the community by addressing its unmet needs. To apply, click here.
3. Dialogue on the Transformasphere Website
Since inception, the transformasphere.com website has been visited thousands of times by people all around the globe. Join in on the discussion on transformation by commenting on stories and blog entries or by submitting your own write-up. If you would like to submit a piece or have an idea for website, please email us through the “contact us” page.
4. Join a Fellowship Group
To better connect people together in interest groups to encourage and challenge one another toward Kingdom advancement, we have started fellowships for each of the spheres. If you are interested in joining a sphere fellowship, please contact your relevant sphere with your name, year in school (if applicable), and email address:
Commerce: commerce@transformasphere.com
Healthcare: healthcare@transformasphere.com
Arts & Media: arts_media@transformasphere.com
Religious Institutions: religious@transformasphere.com
Government: government@transformasphere.com
Education: education@transformasphere.com
Domestic Issues: domestic@transformasphere.com
Note: Currently for Ann Arbor only.
5. Study/Work for the Glory of God
Finally, it is critical that we are faithful with what God has currently put on our plate. For students, this means studying in such as way that people see Christ and His intrinsic value. For working adults, this means showing up faithfully to work each day, going in with a good attitude and finishing assignments on time and with excellence. A friend of mine who spent six months overseas supporting a local mission said that one the greatest lessons that he learned there was that serving overseas is no different than serving back home. “If you are not faithful in the states with what God has given you, you won’t be faithful in a different cultural context.”
Looking forward to see what God is going to do.
In His Love,
-Moses