For 50 worshippers chosen at random to receive a new $100 bill, Sunday must have seemed their lucky day.
It was, but for someone else.
Pastor Greg Henneman of Clarkston Community Church handed out $5,000 in $100 bills to 50 members of his congregation. With the money comes an assignment, however, to help someone in the community and report back to the church in two months.
Henneman called it a ‘Kingdom Assignment.?
‘Whether they give it to a needy family, a neighbor they know who’s going through hard times, or just some organization in the community,? said Henneman. ‘Last year, our church did some visioning of what we feel that God is calling us to do as a church and we came up with what we now call the ‘Big Four.??
The Big Four includes communication, volunteers, facility, and community impact.
‘It’s the whole of idea of becoming more of an externally focused church,? he said. ‘Churches are often guilty sometimes of staying within their own four walls, having their own internal programs and not really being that relevant to the community.?
Henneman said he believes God wants the congregation to be more intentional about community service. The church has created a ‘community team? with 8-10 people, meeting weekly.
For the past few weeks, Henneman has been preaching a series called ‘Living like Jesus.?
‘The Bible speaks of the church as the ‘body of Christ? and sometimes we’ve just been a big mouth,? he said. ‘Just talking, talking, talking, but we haven’t really been the hands and feet of Jesus to really make a different in the community.?
That is something Henneman said they are trying to change in their congregation. On March 15, the church is hosting ‘Make a Difference Day.?
‘Groups will be going to Pine Tree and Sunrise Senior Living Centers to spend time with the elderly singing songs, play games, and paint their finger nails and to serve them and love them,? said Henneman.
Other groups will visit Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac to mentor children; some may also go to Lighthouse North to sort boxes and clothing.
Henneman said they hope to link up with other churches around town.
‘United Methodist Church has a food pantry we will offer assistance to them if they need volunteers,? he said.
Another group will go to Independence Township Library to help decorate and set up a children’s program at the library.
The church’s men’s ministry, led by Administrative Pastor Dan Whiting, started ACTS, Actively Compassionate Towards Service.
‘It’s centered around maintenance and chores, for single moms,? said Whiting. ‘They can fill out a little form to say they need something fixed or help with whatever and men in the church who have different skills to help out will help them?
ACTS has also been helping out at ‘New Walk,? a halfway house for recovering addicts.
‘People who have been through a recovery program and are almost ready to be out on their own,? said Henneman. ‘They work during the day and in the evenings they have accountability meetings.?
The men’s ministry has been working with New Walk a little over a year, working on drywall, painting, and room maintenance, said Whiting.
‘We’ve had people in congregation who had been in there or were involved with it,? he said. ‘It’s motivated both men’s and youth groups to do a lot of renovations on the rooms.?
Working at New Walk will also be part of ‘Make a Difference Day.?
‘Christians should be known for their compassion and for their service to people,? said Henneman. ‘Our dream is for a day when even unbelievers might say ‘I might not believe in their Jesus, but I have to say that those Christians are really great people and they do a lot of good for the community.??
The church will host a blood drive Sunday, March 9, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The community is welcomed. For more information about the church, check www.clarkstonchurch.com.