Reverse Bus Ministry

Imagine a hundred people arriving at church like any other Sunday completely unaware of the significant impact they would have on their community before lunch. That’s exactly what happened at this morning’s service. By the end of the morning, dozens of people had rolled up their sleeves to scrub windows, pick up trash, weed planters, and spread mulch at a local elementary school. (Photos below).


All this was a part of our current message series, “Living Outside Ourselves.” At the end of today’s message, a school bus pulled up in front of our church (unannounced beforehand) and I challenged our people to consider serving at one of our local elementary schools. Arrangements had been made with the school’s principal and custodial staff. Tools, gloves, and t-shirts were provided. Approximately 35 people participated after the first service. They served for an hour and the bus returned just in time to transport another 65 who volunteered after the second service. Overall, 100+ man-hours of labor were invested all before lunchtime.

Next week, a video of our day will be shown at church, and the principal has offered to attend to thank our folks.

Years ago, many churches had bus ministries. A fleet of buses would leave their parking lot early to bring people (usually kids) to church. Today we reversed that. A bus arrived to take our people into the community. After all, Jesus said, "Go into all the world ..."

For other ministry leaders: This idea is very transferable to any church. Feel free to duplicate it. I hope many do. Do me a favor and let me know if you do. I’d love to hear your stories.

To whom can you be a stretcher friend?

I wonder who first thought of it? When those four men, carrying their disabled friend on a stretcher, approached the place where crowds were tightly gathered around Jesus, who was the idea guy? Which one said, “If we are going to get close to Jesus, we will have to do something drastic! I know! Let’s break through the roof!"?

I like friends like that! And their creativity was rewarded because the story goes on to say, When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:5.

I think it is very interesting that the Bible tells us, When Jesus saw their faith… Now this may have included the paralyzed man’s faith, but it certainly was much broader than that. It was also the faith of his friends! There are times in our lives when we do not have a lot of faith. There are times when our faith is frail, times when we need others to trust the Lord for us.

To whom can you be a stretcher friend?

Think about those in your life to whom you can be a stretcher friend. You may feel like you cannot do much, but you can bring them to Jesus.

There seems to be three levels of faith in this passage (Read Mark 2:1-12).

• First there are the “If there’s a seat” people. This is a mix of curious and even oppositional individuals.

• Then there are the “Peering through the door” folks. They represented a higher level of commitment. They are there on the periphery and willing to take a back seat.

• But then there are the “Through the roof” people, who eagerly seek a close encounter with Jesus. Perhaps there is person in your life that God is bringing to mind. God wants you to reach out enthusiastically.

Are you willing to go "through the roof" to bring those you care about to Jesus?