Ministries using Living Free in non-traditional ways

So many churches are trying to find ways to make sure new visitors and new converts feel welcome and accepted. This is an admirable venture and there are many ways of approaching this need. Many church statisticians agree that people will decide in the first visit whether they will return to attend that particular church on a regular basis. So much attention is being given to newcomers that churches are missing an opportunity to bring more people into their discipleship fold through outreach ministry.

There is another way to bring new people into the church and disciple them at the same time. A prison ministry in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is helping people and helping churches with outreach and assimilation. Several churches in Chattanooga are providing space where ex-inmates and their families can meet in small groups once a week and also have community church services once a week.

The result is that church members are participating with the ex-inmates and their families in the groups using the Living Free studies and are are becoming acquainted with the participants of the outreach ministry. The prison ministry participants and their families are feeling welcomed and are then attending regular services at the church and participating in the church community.

Ministering to one person coming out of jail creates community for the whole family. The prison ministry participants bring their spouse or friend and then they begin bringing their children and the extended family experiences acceptance. Wow! What a God-thing is happening without anyone planning for it to happen. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that “we humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails (MSG).” We must be intentional in our planning, creative in leading, and be open to God’s direction.

Most outreach ministries are using Living Free training and the core Living Free studies of Insight, Free to Grow,and the Living Free training.

Check out our online store to see what fits your needs. Church growth is happening all across the globe with ministries using Living Free. Contact us to learn more about how you and your church can bring in the harvest through non-traditional ways.