We now are a full month past Church “Out”! Are there any lasting affects we can still note? Can we see that Church “Out”! has been like a rock dropped in the middle of a pond, a splash producing silent but visible ripples moving out in all directions from the point of impact? Might those ripples act as reminders of the meeting of solid stone acting upon liquid surface, whose point of impact is momentarily noted by a splash and bubbling, but which quickly settles back to its original state? For the “kerplunk” of an intentionally thrown rock quickly passes, but the ripples continue as a silent witness of that action. Church “Out”! was a month ago but hopefully those “ripples” still move out from that center, still visible, still active. How? What kind of ripples were created?
    The first “ripple” I noticed was the enthusiasm for what we accomplished by trusting God to do something big and out of character for us as a body. Most who participated shared their excitement about serving in the Name of Jesus. Some asked even before that day was over when we were going to do it again. That is a major ripple effect! (And yes, plans are being formed for ways to serve this Christmas season.)
    I would also hope and pray that God is producing an effect in you. I pray that each person in this congregation would realize a number of things: That serving in Christ’s Name can be simple and doesn’t have to cost more than our time. That anyone of any age or ability can serve in some capacity. That you don’t need permission or authorization to serve (because you have already been called by Jesus). That service and evangelism are companions. That we are sent to serve a lost world that they may see Jesus in the actions and love of His people.
    There are many opportunities to serve. Some of them are within the life of the church; many are out in the community. All are important; most are just waiting for you to show up. Some are listed on the page facing this article. Others are in existing ministries that could use your help like Sunday School, youth, nursery, Friend’s Club, worship (singing, computer, sound), drama, grounds keeping, Seasoned Saints, greeters (the list goes on). Some aren’t listed or haven’t been expressed yet. Keep your eyes and ears (and heart) open to ways God may be speaking to you to serve in His Name. I pray that the ripple affect of Church “Out”! will catch you and carry you into opportunities of service that only our Lord can imagine (and He’s waiting to whisper in your ear).
The ripples of Church “Out”! are also affecting our community. Our service impacted many lives as the waves of our actions reached out and touched them. The elderly at a mobile park; a school employee; somebody in the community. But there are other ripples yet to be realized. Not all actually saw what we did that Sunday morning, but they have heard about it. Just as that rock being tossed into a pond may not have been seen because the person was not looking in the right direction, yet having heard the sound, turned to note the after effects, the ripples; not having seen the rock, but still aware that one entered the water. I don’t think we have come to the end of where these ripples are reaching, being used by God to change lives.
    UNLESS….. I’ve used the wrong illustration. Unless Church “Out”! was NOT a stone in a pond with lasting affects, but rather the bright but short-lived flame of a match being struck, which gives momentary light, but quickly dies out leaving just a smoldering stick. Hopefully our efforts were not just that quick flash of heat with all that lingers being the after aroma of an extinguished matchstick. Hopefully I’ll not have to write that article!
 

Denis Whittet