Inside the May/June 2013 Issue

Community Transformation

What if the church existed only for the church—for itself and not for the world—but then the walls fell and we remembered who we are and why we’re here? What could happen?

Well, this is the issue where the walls fall. Matt Carter relates the story of how The Austin Stone Community Church recalibrated its vision and turned its eyes to the city. We tell the story of what happened when Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas began to imagine they could transform a ZIP code. Efrem Smith calls the church to identify with the needs of the community and J.D. Greear invites us to look for a new metric of church success, not measured simply by seating capacity but serving capacity. Plus perspective from Bill Hybels, Ed Stetzer, Bobby Gruenewald, Dan Kimball and others.

Our prayer is that this issue of Outreach encourages and inspires you as you invite people into ministry with you, to be the church in the world—a church without walls—redeeming ZIP codes and transforming neighborhoods.

Don’t Miss

Redeeming 72204

Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas may not be able to change the world, but what would it take to transform a community? One church’s ZIP code-sized aspiration.

One Question With Efrem Smith

What does it take for a church to engage its community? A noted denominational leader responds.

Gospel True

“Everyone is called,” and five other essentials of community engagement, by J.D. Greear, lead pastor of The Summit Church of Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

Matt Carter: The Interview

“We need to quit looking at the church as a place of protectioon from an evil world and instead starting looking at it as a global missionary force.” A new direction for The Austin Stone Community Church

ALSO: Bill Hybels: “If I Were Planting a Church Today”; 5 Ways to Jump Start Your Men’s Ministry; Smartphones in Church? Pastoring the Community and much more

Plus, in Each Issue of Outreach

PULSE: We take the pulse of outreach today as we report on what churches are doing to connect with their communities.

IDEAS: Church-tested ideas for seasonal and targeted ministries for any church, any size

VOICES: Trends and commentary on culture, faith and thought

COLUMNS: Perspective on outreach from Ed Stetzer, Dan Kimball, Bobby Gruenewald, Brad Powell and Eugene Cho.

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