Serving the Community

Part 5 of our Strategic Plan series takes a different focus. As we looked at the other three Key Strategies and the Enabling Strategy of Kingdom Prayer there was quite a bit of inward focus. Looking at how we respond to what God is doing in our lives. In a way this final Key Strategy is the ultimate response but rather than being inward, it is community focused. 

I am going to offer more questions than answers this month, but I think that is a good thing. 

First off, I want to start with the question, how do we at Palm View serve our community? 

Yes, we have our food pantry which through its amazing volunteers cares for the underserved and struggling in our community by providing a small bag of groceries each week. But more than that what are we doing to intentionally share the gospel with those folks? We are feeding them physically but are we doing anything to feed them spiritually? 

Another question in this area would be whether is there anything more that we could do even if it requires more volunteers or resources than we currently have? James and Paul both place emphasis on the importance of caring for the widows and orphans. What are we doing to fulfill God’s Word in regard to those areas? 

A third question is what kind of name does Palm View have in the community? Do people hear our name and ask where is? Do they hear our name and have a bad taste in their mouth? Or do they associate our name with the love and mercy which we have received being shown freely? Maybe take a few minutes and ask your neighbors or coworkers? 

Finally, how are we praying for our community? Are we going about our day, just getting by, living Sunday to Sunday with a week going by without us spending more than a few fleeting seconds in communion with God in prayer? 

As I said more questions than answers, but all these questions are important, and the answers well... those are going to be interesting.