The Church is Done Waiting

theGoodnews

One day we looked around the table at each other and said, “Is the new normal going to be us continuing to cancel events while we’re waiting for the restrictions to lift?” That was not a reality we were going to be okay with. The Dream Center was thrown for a loop with the onset of COVID-19 and the subsequent restrictions just like every other church and non-profit. But we got to a point when we realized things may not go back to normal anytime soon, so we needed to adapt the way we do ministry.

We recognized that we had to mourn the loss of what ministry looked like for us before, and then take hold of the new season. We would not let the restrictions stop the Church from meeting the needs of its community. No mandate can stop Jesus’ Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Now, let us be clear, we will abide by the laws of our country. Rules intended to manage the spread of a viral pandemic need not inhibit the spread of the gospel. So how does the Church (Big C) still operate in its mission during this unique season? We put our ears to the ground to find out what the needs in our community are so the Church can be the ones to respond and fill those needs. As we meet the felt needs, we earn people’s trust and are then offered the opportunity to speak into their potential as people created in the image of God and made for relationship with Him.

People need to know that Jesus cares about the problems they’re facing and the struggles that keep them down, and the Church is the physical manifestation of that care. Too long the Church has been seen to only care about the spiritual matters of a person’s life, but Jesus’ gospel is wholistic…His gospel cares for not only the spiritual doubts and struggles a person encounters, but also cares about and heals the physical disease, the financial tension, the broken marriages and the strained relationships with children through His Holy Spirit. So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

The Church is Done Waiting.

By Aubrey Masters

~ James 2:17-18 NLT

We are praying that the Church in our valley is more active in this season than ever before and finds way to adapt to reflect Jesus’ love to others—as the church has throughout history in every difficult and confusing season since the first Church in Acts. Here’s how Dream Center adapted and we hope it can bring inspiration and clarity to you if you’re in need of that. One need we found was children all around our city were being left behind because of the virtual learning system in the schools. Many kids were without reliable internet connection, without parental supervision during the day, and other unique challenges. In response, we launched a Distance Learning Support Center where we host 25 school aged children and youth 5 days a week from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm. We provide a safe & supportive place for them to do their schoolwork, interact with other kids, and be poured into by adults who have their best interest at heart. We’ve learned a lot though this process and would be happy to share wisdom & processes with anyone else who is interested in launching a program like this. We’ve also upped our food distribution through our food pantry—transitioning it to a drivethru model, and engaged our community through an increased focus on getting out into the streets of our city picking up trash, praying and caring for people we encounter, and beautifying our incredible town. Most recently, we were able to gather 250 volunteers and release them onto 20 work projects in our community in our annual event called City Serve. Even with the COVID guidelines, we were able to facilitate meaningful ways for believers & non-believers alike to serve their fellow person and make their city a better place. Not only that, but the sites we worked on were blessed—friends who needed a little extra help or properties that required some TLC in order for others to see their potential. Maybe you’ve already been engaging the needs and adapting, and to you we cheer you on and say, we’re so glad to be linked up with you in this mission. But maybe you feel unclear about how to move forward. Maybe you feel nervous about how people will respond or about the unknowns that lie ahead. To you we say, you can do it…not by yourself…but with the Spirit of power that our God promises us and with the help of your brothers and sisters in Christ. If you need encouragement or inspiration on what’s next, please consider us a resource and your biggest champion. Anything we can do to build up the Body of Christ! The Dream Center is located at 114 E. Peck Street, Lake Elsinore. (951) 3763703, www.dreamcenterle.org.