The Blue Sky Project
What is “The Blue Sky Project”?
The Blue Sky Project is a process in which all of us - the entire congregation - asks the question - How can we best reach LA and Ventura Counties for Christ? ‘Blue Sky’ is a metaphor for a place with no restrictions and limitations. We want you to dream big, to admit to no limitations as you think about how this church can best reach LA and Ventura Counties for Christ.
How can we be better at fulfilling the Great Commission in the corner of the world that God has planted us? What do we need to change to reach unchurched people?
What needs to be changed? Are we placing unnecessary barriers in people’s way? If you could change anything, what would you change to help us reach LA and Ventura Counties more effectively? Why? How?
What new initiatives should we adopt? If we had unlimited resources to reach LA and Ventura counties, what would you recommend that we do? Why? Dream large dreams about what the future could look like!
The Blue Sky Project is an invitation for you to pray that God would enlarge your vision. To break down old paradigms. To think in fresh creative ways about how we can better accomplish our purpose of ‘inviting people into a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ‘.
Let’s dream large dreams about how God could use us to accomplish his goals in LA and Ventura Counties. Join the Blue Sky Project by leaving a reply!
Filed under: Blue Sky
Checking the Clear Blue Skies…!
Reach out to the local colleges….CSUN and Pierce College, with tables,
booths….participate in their events with a table w/info on our church, ministries, etc……an option for young adults to connect to a local church… Pierce is in Woodland Hills….and CSUN, although in Northridge, needs more church options at these events they have. Our daughter has visited the booths they have, and feels the same…..that a WHC booth would be a great addition ! Could be a really GOOD outreach possibility ,there.
I would like us to do many things for the glory of the Lord.
1. Renovate or move locations of the church so that we can have a “fresh” start. Maybe even change the name of the church so that people notice something new. Whether we like it or not, or culture is always looking for the latest and greatest. We can use this to our advantage while still maintaining biblical principles.
2. Let’s put on a concert in which we give a clear Gospel message.
3. A Sports ministry program geared toward high school students where the Gospel is clearly given on a constant bases.
More ideas to come. . .
Making Awana Bible clubs more known to the local community for kids ages 3yrs thru the 6th grade. Banner out front… even more awareness in the congregation that we have a kids group available here to let their friends with children know about it !…just bringing it more to light / the surface… hopefully what gets in the kids….will get into the parents as well..the GOSPEL.
Two homeless people applied to become members of our church last Sunday on their first visit due to an outreach at Quimby park. They are passing out advertisements for the Easter fair and plan to work at it. They live in the Burger King parking lot. There are so many homeless people now with no resources and not all of them are substance abusers, crazy or evil. Remember who will inherit the earth. That is one outreach at one park. They were fed and heard a sermon, gave testimony and prayed. It took an hour and a half of time to do this. There are a lot of parks and homeless people who would love a church to love them probably more than we have room to fit. They need clothing and love, not much else. Are we willing to allow a myriad of homeless into our church? A lot of churches would say no. Are we different?
Another impediment to reaching people is language. A vast number of people in the Valley speak no English. We might want to think about a Spanish ministry. At the outreach at the park one of the people was able to translate the message of the sermon to one who could not understand. The non English speaking person was able to participate because of this.
3. A Sports ministry program geared toward high school students where the Gospel is clearly given on a constant bases.
Like Boys Brigade.
Any activity that promotes friendship and fellowship within the church can also be a great way to invite people to church services. It would also help those of us in the church to get to know one another better. A few things that come to mind: host a movie night (adult, teens, kids on different nights), church picnic/beach day, Dodger game, any team activity (join with other churches or start our own), Women’s nights with different themes, Men’s nights with different themes, a BBQ/game day in the church parking lot on a Sunday afternoon, clubs that meet on various days (hiking, bowling, knitting, gardening, etc.), weekend camping trips, and so on.
1. My family’s church in England regularly goes to the town square, where there are always lots of people. They set up a stage and their worship band plays. They also perform dramas to engage the crowd and teach the Gospel. They hand out information about their church to the people who come to listen and watch. We could do that at various locations in the area.
2. Organize a church mission trip.
3. Take on a local mission project (or partner with an organization): a Habitat for Humanity type thing, or school improvement project. Maybe host a church-wide “yard sale” in the church parking lot, where the proceeds go to help fund the project. At the sale have tables set up where people can learn about our church and what we’re doing in the community. Get press coverage for the project.
4. Host various seminars to which we can invite the community: marriage, family, finances, career development.
5. Building on Jeff’s comment, host ESL classes.
1. I like the idea of a drama show. Perhaps we can even do a “magic” show for the public where the Gospel is given during or after the main event. Like Luke 16:9 says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” In other words, Jesus is telling use to use our resouces here on earth so that when we enter into heaven, thousands will be there to welcome us because we spent our time, money, ect. winning them to the Lord.
2. Jeff, I am thinking of something that is completely a sports ministry; like football, basketball, soccer, baseball, etc.
3. Also, anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus Christ should be welcomed (and I believe would be welcomed) in our church regardless of their financial situation.
4. We could rent out movie theathers and show an appropriate movie to the public for free then talk to them about the Gospel. In other words, buy all the tickets for the up-coming movie “UP” for example. Invite people to the movie for free. Then share the Gospel. The transition from the movie to the Gospel shouldn’t be too hard. Providing free drinks and popcorn would make it even a sweeter deal.
Peter,
I was just commenting that you already have twelve plus junior high, high school boys already doing football and basketball every Wednesday night at our church through Brigade. If you took those boys and wanted to enhance the program in some way you already have the beginnings of your group. It could be an extension of Brigade or not. The boys play sports very vigorously there. If they had the chance some would probably do more sports. They usually get about 45 minutes for their bible teaching and 45 min. to play football, etc.
Hey Jeff,
Ahh, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification,
These are all such great ideas ! : )
Important:
Be unified as a church, and work together, as we seek to spread the word to the lost… in our neighborhoods, and community.
There is an infinite amount that can be done to reach people. It takes the Holy Spirit, the first love of Christ, humility, the willingness to step out of the comfort zone because of the first two items on this list and then the overriding will and desire to reach the lost that surpasses our fears, selfishness and inhibitions. Then top that with more humility because ego and pride is always lurking to ruin everything. Then after the invasion into the hearts and souls of men and women the job has just begun because then babes in Christ have to be welcomed into the church, nurtured, taught and helped to grow in their faith. Resources are strained and leadership is limited. This is what I have found in mega churches I have attended. The amount of leaders and workers in the field have to increase to continue Blue Skies. Without mentoring and growth everything slows down or grinds to a halt. Then there is Satan who is always throwing a monkey wrench into everything. Thank goodness nothing can ultimately prevail against the Church because of He who guides us through His Spirit. It is so easy to become over confident and begin to work in our own strength, with our own agendas, not His. It will be a heated battle against our flesh and the evil one if we are to be successful in this. No one is immune, but, we can take refuge in Him and He will protect us in this mission.
HEY LEAH
DO WE SHOW THE WORD AWANA ON A YELLOW PAGE AD FOR THE CHURCH
HEY JIM
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AWANA SIGN THAT WAS OUT IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH
HEY YOUTH MINISTRY PERSON
WHEN SHARON CRAWFORD AND HER HUSBAND WERE HERE, SHE TOOK A NEW BASKET BALL THE HOOPS IN LOCAL PARKS, LIKE THE ONE OVER FROM CHURCH ON SHOUP AND GOT GIRLS TO PLAY PICK-UP GAMES OF HALF COURT. PRESENTED THE GOSPEL AS THE OP PRESENTED INTSELF.
COULD BE DONE BY BIGGER BOYS IN OUT YOUTH GROUP - YES?
I don’t want to be responsible for unwittingly limiting the power of God to accomplish whatever He wants, however He wants; by envisioning anything that is similar to what it’s always been.
I don’t know what God has in store for us, but I feel it in the depths of my soul, that He is going to open up the windows of Heaven and pour down His Spirit upon us.
The results will be profound and beyond our imagination or description. It will be obvious that God is doing something great and mighty in this place.
Clever billboards — there is a local church (fairly large I think, but not mega) that I occasionally see nice looking billboards for (on Ventura, for example). I would have checked out the church if I didn’t already have a church home.
I am reminded of what a very wise man once said,
“If we don’t ‘learn’ what works from the past, we can not complain if we make the same mistakes.”
Could we be going that direction?
Focus on men. There is a paucity of godly leaders in our society. As the men go, so go their homes.
Link up with a prison ministry.
Is It “What Message” Are We Listening For?
Or - “who” are we listening to?
Could it be we are so “closed in with our chosen way of thinking” we’re not listening to God’s message.
If He has already told us what He wants our church to do,
could it be we were not listening - perhaps because of “who” delivered His messenger?
I love Brain Storming (Blogging). It’s great, but are we missing some “thing” already made known to us or “someone” who already spoke?
1. Hire a professional branding agency (which would include addressing the church name). Treat it like corporate branding, where all online and printed communications are consistent in voice and style.
2. Produce a professional video/sermonette that communicates the Gospel and who we are as a church that we can distribute (church web site, YouTube, DVD, podcast, etc.).
3. Gather together focused brainstorming teams according to areas of expertise going forward (musical performers, actors, communications, business, research, education, etc). Bring in outside help if needed.
4. Similar to one of my other comments — promote relational evangelism by sponsoring church-related social activities that are a safe place to invite people we know to, with the hope of that leading them back on Sunday.
1. Open up the parking lot to host a Farmer’s Market one weekend day a month.
2. Purchase the CBS billboard at Fallbrook and Victory (southwest corner) for a year … change message a few times … possibly start with something like:
Everyone is given eternal life.
Where will you spend yours?
3. Put a display or classified ad in Warner Center News - perhaps:
Do you wonder why are you here on earth?
We have a few ideas to share with you!
Woodland Hills Church
6115 Fallbrook Avenue – 818-883-0433
http://www.mywoodlandhillschurch.com
4. Hold a Sunday Concert on the front lawn … you have so many great musicians. This gives them a chance to perform for new people and brings people to the church to learn more.
5. If you don’t have one, create an outreach team – members of the outreach team would attend “events” held on campus, and approach attendees in a comfortable engaging way.
6. Is WHC a member of the Chamber of Commerce? Might be a way to touch a new audience. Pastors/outreach team could introduce the church and its mission – then speak about community service and the importance of it – especially in this economy.
7. Offer non-profits an “in-service” on how music can draw people to their cause. Having the music makers themselves at the larger organization pitches might be compelling. The intricacies of this effort would have to be worked out with a clear projection of what the outcome will be for the church. Perhaps offer a class that those organizations with an interest could attend?
8. Create a direct mail piece – perhaps in an invitation format – to be sent to nearby zip codes. Invite recipients to connect with the church with questions, with a request for a home visit, for information on the need to be baptized, for bible studies, for … ??
9. On the cable access channels … put a free invitation to attend WHC for Sunday service.
10. Advertise on the Church page in the Daily News.
11. Non Profit Organizations (and others) always need a place for meetings . .. . offer the rooms (with a tour of the chapel, etc.) to nonprofit orgs for a small charge. The marketing could be accomplished by phone with a follow-up note.
After all … I came to WHC because I voted here and liked the simplicity of it.
Ideas from the Blue Sky Brainstorming Lunch:
1. Cindy Pollock: Have “booths” at a variety of different events (i.e., parks, Home Shows, the Mall, etc…)
2. Gail Greve: Offer parenting classes as a way of touching the community in a positive way.
3. Nancy Loos: Do prison ministry of some sort, and offer Men’s ministries aimed at discipling men to be Spiritual Leaders.
4. Stan/Jeff-Ro: Partner with local churches to do a concert with various Praise Bands.
5. Sanjay Khanna: Offer medical care/clinics of some sort, in partnership with medical providers, to practically fulfill basic human needs.
6. Cami O’Neil: Arrange rides for people to get to Church, who otherwise would not be able to attend.
7. Barbara Azoff: Shuttle service for shut-in’s and children to get to Church. Provide basic care for Shut-in’s, i.e., chores, etc…
8. Cindy Pollock: Senior Citizen “day care.” Provide activities and services for seniors.
9. Teri Wareing: Is there a way for churches to unite as a better utilization of resources.
10. Isabel Mestler: Tutoring/mentoring for Jr/Sr High students.
The posts and discussions are wonderful.
Diane I was particularly impressed by many of your ideas. Your suggestion to use the facility as a sort of “conference center” was particularly timely. I was speaking with a neighbor of the Church, last week, who was adamant that if we renovated the sanctuary, we should consider doing that. Great minds think alike
The purpose of the Blue Sky project is to dream big dreams of what God can accomplish in and through this Church.
Blue Skies are about imagining a Church with no boundaries and limitations. Imagining a place where a unified body of believers comes together to transform our own lives by serving the Body of Christ. In the process of humbly serving, we can experience the awesome power of Jesus Christ being poured out in this place.
God has assembled a wonderful body of united believers in this place. Ideas are being exchanged, people are becoming passionate about Christ and new people are being ministered to.
Even though some have chosen to move on, new faces come each week as our numbers continue to climb. Unfortunately not everyone wants to be a part of this Body of believers. Let’s pray that any who are not able to find what they need here, can experience the changing power of Christ in their lives, wherever they have felt compelled to go.
As a unified Body, we can focus on those who have come together to serve in this place.
It appears that God is moving in this place. It feels as if God is preparing us for something dramatic in this place. The outpouring of His Spirit is going to bring about more than we could ever hope for or imagine.
What dreams for the future do you have? In a Church with no boundaries or limitations, what could we do to reach LA and Ventura counties?
Let’s talk about the Blue Skies…!
As I have mentioned previously, Blue Skies is a noble idea as long as it is rooted in the Spirit. I am sensing some unhappiness and hurt feelings by some as the new leadership moves ahead. All of the ideas that have been put forth are wonderful and it is great to see the Church moving in a positive new direction. I would encourage more love and sensitivity in all of this. To some it does not feel like the Spirit is always leading, but is more of a preset agenda and something akin to a corporate takeover. Change is difficult even under the best circumstances, but it is easy to be heavy handed and make people who have been here a long time feel like they are being discarded and it doesn’t matter because they are being replaced by new people. We are all part of the body and when people leave it hurts that body. Sure we can replace them in some fashion, but it is like death, they really cannot be replaced. So in that spirit I hope we learn and move forward and the great things that Chris mentioned will happen. Our church does not need any more disharmony. We need to place value in the faithful and those who have served tirelessly as well as the new. We need a unified body. The devil is in the details.
THE BLOGGS INCLUDE A LOT OF WE SHOULD DOES, BUT…
NOT TALING ABOUT WHAT WAS WRITTEN ON SOME PAGE, OR HEARD FROM PERSON SOMEWHERE, BUT
FROM 30 YEARS OF MINISTRY AND MEMBERHIP IN THIS CHURCH I HAVE NEVER SEEN A SUGGESTION WORK THAT WASN’T COUPLED WITH A PROMISE BY THE SUGGESTING PERSON TO “LEAD” IN DOING WHAT THE PERSON SUGGESTED.
BLUE SKY - HUMM
LETS HEAR SOMEONE BLOGG A SUGGESTIONG AND VOLUNTEER TO LEAD IT. THEN, CALL ME I WILL BE RIGHT THERE TO HELP HIM OR PAY FOR IT.
I would love to see (and have asked for volunteers in the past) a team of pray-ers cover each pew during practice time on Sunday before the service. I can’t lead it since I’m rehearsing, but it’s not too hard to manage. We did it at our former church and it was a great ministry.
Another idea is to offer BBQ after church that is for sale. It would preclude people having to find a place to go for lunch and could invite the neighborhood in as well.
PS- the point of the BBQ is to promote fellowship and networking and welcoming behaviors.
One thing that has discouraged me during this Blue Sky Project is people’s lack of courage to write their names. Ann Nonymous, you have interesting ideas and an obvious passion to reach the lost, but who are you?
This is the same for those who wrote Anonymous. Let’s work at a family by being transparent. This is something God wants. Our goal is to advance God’s kingdom. This brainstorming is one avenue to do that. It is a way to gather ideas so that we can determine where God is leading Woodland Hills Church. So instead of criticizing others opinions, let’s work together in harmony. Our goal is the same, to invite people into a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. Whatever is the most effective and biblical way to do this should be pursued.
Host a modern version of a multiple day “tent revival.”
I am reading over the Blue Sky post more carefully and I can see that many of you have concerns or feel hurt. Let me tell you we do care about you and want to address these issues. We are the family of God. Love is always our motive for what we do.
However, the Blue Sky Project is not the place to address these concerns. Please contact Pastor Kent, Pastor Kris, or me and we would be happy to address anyone’s concerns face to face in love.
As for the rest of you, keep the ideas coming. There are a lot of good ones. The sky is the limit! Dream big and post your ideas. Our goal is to compile a list and see what the best opinions are for our church and God’s kingdom. Every general plans for a war. Well, we are at war for the souls of the LA area. Let’s work up a strategy so that we can boldly go forth to spread the Gospel!
God is working among us. By working together we will share the Gospel biblically, effectively, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 15:12,13
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Lets show love to others in all we say and do.
We all come into contact daily with others and in that moment we can do so much for Gods work with love, a smile, a thank you even when not necessary a loving remark “Have a great day” a warm greeting “How are you today”.
Think of yourself as a stepping stone to the path of Jesus Christ.
Most people with whom you show love and kindness will wonder to themself what makes you so loving?
Go out of your way to service another.
Maybe a card or a book marker with a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ and a quoted scripture on the front and all of the church info on the back. This could be handed out at the moment we have shown Christ’s love to others.
I was thinking of a new name and came up with these:
1. Ignite
2. Transform
3. Converge
I think a new name might help our church, therefore Christ, stand out in our surrounding community. Just an idea.
I like blue skies better than gray skies, too.
SPIRITUAL AND NUMERICAL GROWTH IN A CHURCH IS POSSIBLE SAYS J P JONES, PASTOR OF “CROSSLINE” CHURCH, AJUNCT THEOLOGICAL PROFESSOR AT BIOLA AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE GREATER LOS ANGELES SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
IF THE CHURH FOCUSES ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN THE POWER OF THE LORD.
HIS CHURCH GREW FROM A BIBLE STUDY TO OVER 1800 THAT WAY AND JONES IS A DYNAMITE PREACHER.
As we move forward as a church may each one of us allow the Holy Spirit “blue sky” reign in our hearts.
A bus - taking “the message” to Ventura County cities - a different city each week, and doing a lot of marketing/advertising/outreach before it arrives, might bring in those who are not likely - or unwilling - to drive to Woodland Hills. I have no idea what a bus costs, but the insurance and any renovation would have to be taken into consideration.
Does “The Alliance” have insurance that their affiliated churches can tap into? I know the Catholics have.