The Church's Involvement and Impact in the Life of Local Communities

[Dusty52]

A church close to were I live opened a community cafe some time ago, where they serve food, run toddler groups, coffee mornings for the elderly, etc, one morning a week supplying hot food for the homeless, they had a massive impact in the Local Community, it makes me think why can't we do this??

[John Tavner]

A church close to were I live opened a community cafe some time ago, where they serve food, run toddler groups, coffee mornings for the elderly, etc, one morning a week supplying hot food for the homeless, they had a massive impact in the Local Community, it makes me think why can't we do this??

Ask not what your country (church/community) can do for you, but what you can do for your country (church/community).

[Dusty52]

I am actively involved in a number of initiatives where I live, my question is aimed at why the church doesn't do anything in local communities!!

[John Tavner]

I am actively involved in a number of initiatives where I live, my question is aimed at why the church doesn't do anything in local communities!!

And my point is that the church is local and so are you. If you want something done, bring it up in church - go to a ward council. There are ways it can happen. I have seen it multiple times. The church at "the top" has no idea what is happening in your small community. So talk to your local church and get something done.

[Dusty52]

The church is too insular, inward looking, where have you seen the church open a community cafe anywhere? They just don't do it and that's my point!

[Chip]

I've run these mental simulations before.

Say you, as a member of the church, wanted to set something up like this community cafe.

Fellow members would suppose you are trying to work outside of Lord's established system. If such a thing were desired by the Lord, the Brethren would be directing its implementation, already. You would just be showing yourself to be out of step with the Brethren. You wouldn't get much buy-in. Meanwhile, members are plenty tied up preparing lessons and talks to reinforce to one another how true the church is and how blessed they are. They really don't want any additional burdens and all their Christian exercise is already at work in the church.

To do something like set up that cafe, you might as well leave the church, first.

[John Tavner]

The church is too insular, inward looking, where have you seen the church open a community cafe anywhere? They just don't do it and that's my point!

Dusty, if you are gonna look for bad in everything you'll find it. Trust me. Stop looking for the bad - if your eye is single to taht it will fill you with darkness. Start looking for the good and to add good to the world, you will be a lot happier. The Church is just a stepping board it isn't hte end all be all. We are in a telestial world and people will fail because they are selfish. We are all selfish to an extent. So remember, the harder you judge, the harder you will likely be judged yourself. Forgive, forget, and try to make things better yourself and ask God for help to do so- you'll be happier, trust me.

[Chip]

Yeah, I think what John Tavner said is right.

[Dusty52]

He's got a point I agree

[Robin Hood]

A church close to were I live opened a community cafe some time ago, where they serve food, run toddler groups, coffee mornings for the elderly, etc, one morning a week supplying hot food for the homeless, they had a massive impact in the Local Community, it makes me think why can't we do this??

Well, why not?
Get on with it then Dusty; or are you expecting someone else to be anxiously engaged in a good cause.
You seem very good at fault-finding, so how about doing something more positive for once.

In my ward, we have raised nearly £20,000 in recent times, and given it to various local charities in the town. There's a lot more being done than you realise.

[Dusty52]

How did you raise that sort of money?
Can't imagine that at all

[Robin Hood]

How did you raise that sort of money?
Can't imagine that at all

Various fund raising events.
We had a stall in the town selling home baked cakes on a number of occasions, bric-a-brac, auction nights, car washing, sponsored events etc. It's quite a regular thing in our ward and has been for years.
We're also big on the annual shoe box appeal around Christmas time.
Most Christmasses we put together several high quality hampers and give them anonymously to very poor families through a third party (local primary school). Additionally, last Christmas we donated a significant collection of new toys to St James Hospital childrens unit in Leeds.

One of our members went over to Haiti several times following the devastating earthquake there a few years ago and helped rebuild and supply an orphange there. Much of the money and supplies he took over were collected from members of the ward/stake.

If your ward doesn't do any of this, then why don't you start something?

Edit: Spelling correction

[Dusty52]

Sounds interesting

[Robin Hood]

Sounds interesting

One fund raising event which proves very popular is a curry night.
Several members make huge vats of curry and members come along, often bringing their non-member friends and neighbours, and just eat and socialise. They are asked for a donation.

Last one we did raised over £500.

Another easy thing to do is to collect food donations at harvest festival time. Everyone brings food to church that Sunday and it's all donated to the local food bank based at the Church of England facility in town.

If a church in your town is already doing something worthy, go down there and see if you can help. None of this is rocket science.

[David13]

Dusty you can, as they say, start that stuff and do it.

There is a church in Los Angeles, at least one, that does that. I forget their name. They I think also have all the rock music. Much more of a community center than a church, but they do have Jesus behind it all.

Just not my form of worship. I like the quiet dignity of the LDS church, thank you, rather than a bazaar market place (not bizarre).
dc

[ParticleMan]

I am actively involved in a number of initiatives where I live, my question is aimed at why the church doesn't do anything in local communities!!

Might it be because the purpose of the Church isn't to initiate or sponsor every good thing that can be done in the world? Are we not to learn correct principles and govern ourselves?

We are not to be commanded in all things. We are to do good of our own free will.

As has been mentioned, one way of doing this is to approach our local leaders about organizing events. Such efforts have been successful. Over time, some have continued and kept growing. One event, in Payson, UT, as I understand it, started as a ward fundraiser, grew to a stake fundraiser, and was eventually handed off to the city because it grew so big. Inspiring, no?

But we can do good as individuals or groups, whether solely as Saints, as neighbors of faith, or of no particular affiliation. That is, unless you're concerned that the Church receive notoriety. Isn't it great when the Church gets good publicity? But if this is your concern, what has been taught about sounding a trumpet?