Whether you live downtown in a major urban area, in the suburbs, or on land with miles between you and your closest neighbor, you are in some kind of community. Churches, schools, friend groups, co-workers, and even online forums are communities, and our communities are in need. They always have been, and they will be until the day Jesus returns. What are we doing with the limited time we have to share the gospel with those around us? How are we making an impact? Are we leaving this space better than before? As Christians, we need to shine the light of Jesus in our communities and not shut ourselves away from others. We must seek out ways to show the love of Christ to those in our orbits by serving them, remembering that how we treat others is how we treat Christ (Matthew 25:40).
Let’s look at some ways we can use our time, money, and talents to make a difference all around us. Whatever way we choose to impact our community, we know that we are working for Christ. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23, NIV).
Volunteer
Community groups know exactly what they need and are typically quite organized. Find a cause that matters to you and get involved. I guarantee that your church needs volunteers. You can help with set-up, kids ministry, or meal trains. Local schools are always on the lookout for volunteers. Teachers need help in the classroom, students need someone to read to, and school events need to be manned. Food kitchens need help serving or with set-up and take-down. Our local animal shelter lets people take dogs out for a few hours once a month just to play and have fun. Sign up for something you are interested in. Make a sacrifice for a couple of hours a month.
Volunteering does not have to be through an official organization, though. Unfortunately, many places do not allow minors to volunteer, though some do. Because I have children under the age of 18, I have to find other ways for them to volunteer. Once a month, my family picks up trash on the side of the road. This is a road with a nice sidewalk, and it is easy and safe for us to do. Many towns have adopt-a-road or adopt-a-park opportunities. Maybe you make meals for the elderly or ill. Maybe you start a special needs ministry at your church. Maybe you are a volunteer firefighter. There are plenty of ways to volunteer in your community if you get creative and step outside yourself.
Host a Small Group
Impacting a community often starts small and spreads. Get into intentional relationships with the people around you and watch the impact grow. Church small groups are vital, while impactful community groups might be a monthly neighborhood coffee date, a preschool playdate, or a special interest club.
An additional outcome of building relationships is that you will all be able to share ideas about how to impact the community. Perhaps your church small group begins to pray specifically for a certain change and takes action to make it happen. Maybe your neighborhood hosts a garage sale and donates all proceeds to a special organization. When you lead the way by showing that your community matters, others will join the mission and have great ideas, too.
Be Positive
Be positive but not fake. We do not have to smile through every hard time and pretend like bad things never happen. We are called to “do everything without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:14, NLT). Yikes. I know that’s definitely not my attitude a lot of the time. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to start complaining once someone else does? Sometimes it even feels more comfortable to complain because I don’t want to come across as bragging if I talk about how good things are. That is sneaky toxicity, and it comes from the enemy. He is out to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he is successfully destroying our joy. Let’s fight it.
A positive attitude involves seeing the good. This does not mean bragging! It means that instead of whining, “It is so hot outside!” we say things like, “This heat is going to be so good for my tomatoes!” or “What a perfect day to go to the pool.” We compliment other people as much as possible. We talk about great books or movies or foods. We avoid complaints but can still sit with others in hard times and offer comfort.
A positive attitude is especially important online. You may be part of an online community group, which typically has a bad reputation for negativity. I have a bad habit of being passive and avoidant in these groups. I wonder what would happen if I was actively positive? I wonder how the group dynamics might change if I posted and commented about great things happening in the area or simply offered well wishes for a good day. A little drop of kindness can spread through a group like that and make a huge impact.
Foster Care
It is almost a guarantee that there is a need for foster families in your area. What better way is there to make a difference in your community than to love a child? Yes, foster care can be incredibly challenging, but the actions that are the most impactful typically are. Check out foster care in your area and get licensed. Maybe you provide respite services for foster families. Maybe you care for newborns awaiting adoption paperwork to be finalized. Maybe you open your door to teens needing consistency, stability, and a good model of healthy families. Foster care and adoption can break generational cycles which will impact your community for years to come.
Blessings Bags
Putting together “blessings bags” is a great way to get kids involved in helping the community. Blessings bags are resealable bags filled with items that a person in need can easily use. Some great items include bottled water, granola bars, deodorant, lip balm, and socks. You can come up with more ideas or search online for plenty of other items to include. After the bags are put together, you can deliver them to a shelter or food kitchen, or just keep them in your car to hand out as needed. As you complete your bags, be sure to include information about local resources. Just a sheet of paper with the name, location, services offered, and hours of places like shelters, food kitchens, and other community support groups is helpful. Remember to ask every person who gets a bag what their name is and tell them that you are praying for them–and then follow through. Acknowledgment of humanity goes far in honoring a person, and prayer makes a difference. You can impact your community by helping those in need.
Donating Money
While hands-off is not my favorite way to make an impact, combined with hands-on activities, donating money is important. Nonprofits throughout our communities run on donations and have access to discounts and tax breaks that can make your money go further than if you spent it yourself on items for the organization. Give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) but also get involved. You, and your community, will be rewarded. Let’s all make an impact and watch God work!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LeoPatrizi
Megan Moore is a military spouse and mom of 3 (through birth and adoption). A speech-language pathologist by training, she now spends her time moving around the country every couple of years. She is passionate about special needs, adoption, and ice cream.