First Presbyterian Church: saling berbagi Kepercayaan di Katedral Konsumsi

First Presbyterian Church: saling berbagi Kepercayaan di Katedral Konsumsi

Burlington Center Mall Ministry (BCMM), didirikan di samping First Presbyterian Church, melihat sendiri sebagai stasiun pos terdepan misi di "jungle materialism." cita-citanya seharusnya tidak menggantikan gereja lokal, tetapi untuk menganjurkan orang yang tidak akan pernah memasuki gereja memperkembangkan hubungan dengan Tuhan. Kementerian menimbulkan suasana menarik dengan diuji oleh kenyamanan hidup kamar mebel, kesusasteraan bebas dan gula-gula bahwa menyatakan "Jesus mencintai you," sebuah kotak untuk permintaan doa, tanda elektronik mengumumkan sekarang menyusun, dan seorang tuan rumah bersahabat yang meniru keramah-tamahan Tuhan model.

BCMM menawarkan jenis program karena semua yang bertambah tua dan menarik bagi. Yang ini memasukkan seminar atas topik berguna dan menarik, dari ketrampilan yang meminta pekerjaan ke mengatasi kesepian, dari memperkembangkan daya cipta anak ke tahu healthcare pilihan. Kementerian juga mensponsori peristiwa istimewa, seperti konser, sandiwara, pertunjukan golek, dan pameran senam. Hal yang penting musiman adalah kelahiran Kristus hidup menyelesaikan dengan costumed aktor, mengental, musik, narasi, efek istimewa - dan kesempatan untuk mengatakan sebab mereka karena di mal. Dukung kelompok-kelompok untuk mengatasi self-merusak kelakuan, mengatasi dukacita dan tekanan, dan mengelola masalah berat menarik tamu biasa. Studi Alkitab pemula dasar menyediakan perkenalan sampai agama Keristen.

When the ministry first opened, volunteers were eager to lead evangelistic activities. They soon learned that anything blatantly Christian rarely attracts the ministry's target audience, the unchurched. Some mall visitors are even put off by the neon sign proclaiming "ministry" and keep their distance. BCMM developed a strategy of offering programs that reach out to people at their points of need, weaving in the gospel message in varying degrees according to people's openness. The ministry continually searches for creative, non-threatening ways to let people know God loves them and to encourage people to examine their spiritual needs.

One avenue is the window display, which creates visual representations of various Scriptures and Bible stories. For example, one display featured streamers with 1 Cor. 13 written on them along with pictures of different aspects of love. Other opportunities arise through the thought-provoking questions written on an easel out front, such as "If God could tell our country one thing, what would he say?" Many stop to read the question and comments written underneath; some people add their own thoughts, using the colored markers provided; others approach BCMM volunteers and begin a dialogue.

Perhaps the most important elements of the ministry are the informal interactions. People stop by to chat with volunteers for various reasons - some out of curiousity or interest in a particular program, some out of loneliness, some out of an unrecognized spiritual hunger. One man came looking for help with a nose bleed, and then opened up about his struggles as a widower. When homeless people approach to ask for aid, they receive donated certificates from food court vendors. As the ministry became established, people increasingly revealed their concerns and deep hurts. Volunteers make themselves available to listen, to show God's love and to pray for those who stop by. A designated 'Prayer Zone' provides privacy for people who request prayer or who want a quiet space for meditation.

Regular visitors, says the director, often tend to be "loners" or people on the social margins. One woman who was nearly blind was drawn repeatedly to talk with volunteers, who kept encouraging her to develop a relationship with God. Finally, the woman decided to take their advice and attend church. There she accepted Christ. She returned to BCMM and told the director, "I want to help." With newfound self-confidence, she greeted visitors with a smile and cheerfully kept the place neat. When the director tried to thank her, she replied, "No, thank you for helping me!" Soon afterwards, she told BCMM volunteers she was moving to Tennessee, where she planned to serve God as a "missionary," as they had done for her.

[Adapted from Churches That Make a Difference, chapter 5].