CITIES: Practical Ideas to Impact & Shine in Your City
By Bunni Pounds & Jami McCain
Within the Church, we talk about being “salt and light” in our communities, taking God outside the walls of our churches, and bringing the “God solutions” to real world problems…but how do we practically do that?
The answer is found in caring about what looks like mundane, practical things – but know this - they are all SO IMPORTANT!
Have you thought recently about zoning issues in your city?
What about signage in your community? What kind of content is being put up in front of our children?
What about the percentage of sales taxes gleaned through alcohol sales? Is your city drinking more than other cities? What are the DWI rates in your city?
What about respect and the relationship between city leaders and church leaders? Are they communicating? Are they trying to work together for your city? Are people respecting the police and trying to work with them?
If you are reading this and your heart just said, “finally someone is hitting something practical” – maybe God is speaking to you.
Maybe you are the bridge between the faith community and your city leadership.
Maybe you are supposed to get involved with something in your CITY or TOWN.
Let us talk about this practically. We have the theology down – we just need the practical application.
How can we be light and salt in our communities? (Remember every person we interact with - no matter what we do – will be impacted by the love of Jesus through us, if we are obedient and are not afraid to talk about His truth.)
Here are some starting ideas… This is not exhaustive.
Volunteer for a city board like parks & recreation, library, planning commissions, etc.
Show up and observe your local City Council meetings and start writing a blog to inform others on what is going on.
Work on neighborhood safety – crime commissions.
Prayer - walk your neighborhood and walk to people along the way – asking if you can pray for them and encourage them.
Get involved in your local Home-owners Association.
Pick up trash and plan a cleanup project.
Cut a neighbor’s lawn, help them paint, or help them repair their fence to keep their property value high.
Feed your local teachers at your ISD. Bring them all presents and encourage them.
Help a reading program for kids in your public libraries. Encourage them to read books to grow and combat illiteracy.
Mentor young people in your local Youth Council, Boys and Girls Club, or church community.
Support the local theatre, music, or the visual arts. Encourage wholesome art projects.
Connect with the person leading the “National Day of Prayer” for your city and help them or lead it yourself if it is not going.
Take care packages to your local fire fighters, first responders, and police officers.
Be the liaison to help connect your lo’cal officials to the churches in your area.
Get involved with your local chamber of commerce and keep them focused on what is important for your community.
Encourage, pray, and get to know your local City leaders including your school board members. Be willing to help them with whatever they need.
Share the gospel of Jesus door to door – asking your neighbors if there is anything you can do to practically serve them and meet a need.
Mentor a young person with job ideas or teach a new immigrant English to help them through life.
It is time to SHINE, Church!
Practically.
Consistently.
Ever present in our cities, our towns, and our communities.
Shine as LIGHTS in the world.
Proverbs 4:18 - “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”
Daniel 12:3 – “Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
John 1:5 – “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Philippians 2:15 – “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Would you like to learn more about how to get involved in your city?
Sign up for SALT & LIGHT, our online course on all things local.