A Church at a Ball Park?

The leaders of a local church drove by the municipal ball park each Sunday on the way to worship. One staff member thought, “What is wrong with these parents that they are not at church with their children? What are they thinking!?” The next week she drives by again and this time she is mad at her city officials for allowing baseball games on the Lord’s Day.

Then she attends a Fresh Expressions Vision Day. We start talking about taking the church to the community. Her mind returns to her Sunday drive and passing the ballpark. She thinks of the 2500+ parents and children and wonders how her church can take Christ’s love and presence there. She discovers that every Sunday the park takes a hour break at 1:00 p.m. for the parents and children to have lunch and rest. She envisions her church setting up a tent with free water, snacks, Christian background music, free books and materials, bug spray and first aid supplies.

She shares this vision with her church’s outreach team. They catch the vision, make plans and soon they will launch their ballpark Fresh Expression of church. They will serve families where they are rather than judging them for not being where the church building is. I can imagine all the good press they will receive. I can foresee all the people they will serve, refresh and expose to true Christian love and caring. They could add Christian books to give out, an occasional witness or Christian singer. This has so many possibilities.

Take the church to the ball park! Oh yes!!