Have you seen the fliers for TEAM BEP recreational ministries? Would you like to find out what this is all about? Read a bit further and you will see what is at the heart of this ministry, as well as what is at the heart of BEP.
Paul said that he had “become all things to all people that by all means I might save some.” Over the years I have often pondered what this looks like in 20th and now the 21st century. Should I cut my hair short or keep it long? Should I learn a different language or take up a new hobby? I think the answer to these questions is “all of the above.” God has called us to give up our rights and privileges, and even some of our own identity in order to communicate the Gospel and advance His Kingdom, but what if along with becoming like people in order to make them more accessible to me, I invite people into my life so that I make me more accessible to them.
The concept of opening up our lives is at the heart of our new recreational ministries. The mandate is clearly “to go,” but as we go we want to ask people to come. We will ask them to come on a bike ride or to a softball game or family outing. It may sound simple, maybe a bit trite, but what you are asking people to do is to come be a part of your life. As you ride your bikes or travel to the game or sit and quilt together, your godly conversation & care for them is Gospel ministry.
So what does this look like at BEP? Here are a few things that are important to the recreational ministry.
· That we be relational. We will try to adequately communicate events, but relationships are the primary means of recruitment.
· That we be stewards of our resources. There are no spare parts in God’s economy. Every bit that He has given us we will use for the Kingdom. Therefore, we want to find ways to maximize our facilities to make end roads into our community.
· That we be open with our time & talents. Recreational ministry can be as simple as doing what you would have done anyway and inviting someone to come along.
· That we be honest & forthright. In order to invite people into our lives we must create trust. We won’t employ any “bait & switch” tactics in order to get people in the door and surprise them with evangelism.
· That we be Gospel centered, and Kingdom focused. Our goal is not simply to make friends and have people like us. We want to create avenues in which we can privately & publicly share the message of the Gospel.
. Also, here’s a brand new opportunity. We have great equipment and facilities for volleyball. If you are interested in playing co-ed volley ball on Thursday nights give me a call at the church office @ 410 626 8122 or email me at
seth@broadneckep.org.
Seth Richardson, Associate Pastor
