We just closed out our latest GREAT IDEA SWAP (GIS for short) and awarded the amazon gift-card prizes. You'll be seeing the shared communications on this site in the coming weeks, but before I tell you about what I've got planned on that, I wanted to talk about why the GIS is so much more than great Samples (even though those are part of it).
It is about extraordinary ministry ideas
I always have to have tissues handy when I open up the communications sent to me for the GIS, because they so often bring tears to my eyes. Just a few of them:
- An entire packet of Fire Escape materials, motivated by a story that is heart-breaking
- A collection of home-made greeting cards created for the birthdays of the congregation
- A set of Business cards to advertise a local blood drive held at church
- Underwear drive for those in need—much more than a notice or two, a whole campaign done with great enthusiasm
- A similar Socks and Beanies drive for the homeless (from a great church in Australia)
- Creative Stewardship campaigns, designed in-house for a local church and avoiding big commercial fees
- So many, many more that I'll be sharing
When I see these entries from around the world (Canada, Australia, England, U.S.) I feel humbled to be able to see God's people at work in such incredibly inventive ways to "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8)."
Above is just a fraction of the wonderful ideas shared, not only in some of the more unusual ministries, but without knowing it, many of you shared things other might not think about though a "regular" publications. Sometimes it's the way you list events or sermon notes in your church bulletin, or the details in your connection card, or how you write stories for the newsletter—we can all learn from and be inspired by what others in the Body of Christ are doing to communicate the messages of the Kingdom.
