The Avenue Blog

#73:
Break free from cabin fever! Feeling trapped at home these days? Call a friend and have them meet you at the mall to walk around or grab coffee.

#69: Think local! Know a business owner in town? Hire them
next time you need their services (if you know they do good work!) Build up your relationship by investing in their business!

#68: Show kindness to those around you as you stand in line to check out your Christmas gifts! A friendly face in a crowded holiday line can go a long way in improving someone’s day!

#66:
The first sights of snow this week helped remind us to prepare for winter! Next time it’s snowy or slippery, offer to shovel or salt your neighbor’s walkway! Show them the love of Christ and de-ice!

#65: Part of being a missionary is knowing the culture around
you. Talk with people, eat at new places, visit hot spots and get out of your comfort zone to experience what’s really out there!

#64: Part of being missional is being a good friend. Have a friend
who’s gone through a recent divorce, death or tragedy? Drop
them a note or small gift to say you love them and are thinking
about them.

#63: Know a family who’s sick with the flu? Drop a care package off at their house full of Kleenex, soup, movies and more! Just
make sure to wash your hands when you leave!

#62:
Chili Delivery! Please deliver any chili packs that you’ve committed this week! Even if you didn’t give any chili packs away, be praying for these tools and that God uses them to build relationships!

#61 - Know a single mom or family really stretched for extra
spending money? Invite them to the Swap & Shop this weekend! They’ll be able to stock up on new kids’ clothes
for FREE!

#60: People who not only recognize God’s beauty, but freely and
openly respond to it, show their passion and spread a fire. This is
a great way to be missional.

#59: Play Dates. Moms who stay at home can utilize these times to meet other families, or enhance relationships! Round up the
kiddos, meet at the park, and hang out and talk as the kids play!

#58: Facebook. This is a great tool for catching up with people you’ve already built relationships with. Be intentional about writing on a friend’s wall or commenting on their status, and find a way to reconnect!

#57:
Care Packages. Several of our Mission: Ignition events have
involved making care packages for people. How can you take
this idea and duplicate it on your own?

#56:
Be humble. Having a shot at forming a relationship with someone that points them to Christ starts with your attitude. Knowing how to keep your pride in check and be open to others is where it starts.

#55: Know of a Farmer’s Market nearby? Attending is a great
way to not only eat healthy, locally grown food but to also
meet your local farmers. Stop by from time to time and build
relationships with them!

Our partnership with Harvesters in the BackSnack program is a great way to get involved as missionaries in our community. If you have the time and desire to join the team, sign up today!

At Feast Day, we talked about how we are to take the spiritual “food” we are fed inside of the church
to the outside world. Pray about practical ways God wants you to apply this in your life this week.

Birthdays! It means the world when people call you on your b-day! Have an old friend or someone on your heart? Write down their b-day and call them, or send them a card on the day!

Make a list of three people that have been on your heart. Pray for them regularly and ask God to show you how best to develop those missional relationships.

Wear your Avenue t-shirt around town! It might be a great conversation starter when someone asks "What's new?"

Do you have a friend thats been on your mind? Call them engage and invite them to Life Group, July 5th Event or Sunday morning.

If you made connections at Mission: Ignition last week, follow up on those points of contact. If you didn't, come serve at Backyard Blitz and connect with the community there!

Living a missional lifestyle starts at home! As we celebrate Mother’s Day, make sure to tell, and show, your moms how much you love them.

Have a neighbor who’s recently gone through a hard time? Put together a goodie basket full of gift cards and treats for them and drop it off as a love gift.

Meet someone new at the Mission: Ignition event? Find a way to follow up with them sometime! Start praying for them now, and for God to open doors with your relationship!

Have friends with kids? Invite them to participate in the Swap & Shop next weekend! Check out the Facebook invite for more details about the FREE kids consignment event!

Are you forming new relationships these days? Talking with friends about spiritual things? Take the next
step and invite them to The Avenue’s Easter service!

Strike up a conversation with someone at LET’S EAT! Find a way to randomly compliment them and see
where the conversation goes.

Hey students! Looking for a way to fill your Spring Break? Think about going shopping or seeing a movie with someone from school you want to know better!

Enjoy the Final Four? Participating in a simple, inexpensive bracket contest is a great way to bond with your co-workers and friends!

It’s Marti Gras season! Flashy beads and buttons can open up many doors for you to explain your values and your faith, and how to be in the world but not of it. 

If you have kiddos in school, get to know the teacher, other kids in the class, and their parents.

Still have a job? Know of someone who lost theirs? Be a blessing to them by emailing, calling, or making them dinner. Be creative!

Reconnect with an old friend through email. Send a friendly note to someone you haven't talked to in awhile to catch up on life.

Attend next Saturday's Mission: Ignition events!

Super Bowl time! Plan on attending one of The Avenue’s  Super Bowl parties and bring a friend!

Start watching your friend’s favorite TV show so you can have conversation with them about it.

As you’re following through on that New Year’s resolution and sweating buckets at the gym, start to get to know the others who show up at the same time as you!

When you’re out and about running errands and run into a co-worker, talk to them! The more you can connect outside of work, the more your relationship will grow!

Surprise your neighbor by shoveling their driveway! Have kids? Have them shovel yours while you’re helping your neighbor!

Adopt-a-family! There are several organizations around town that have identified several families in need. Or bless a family you know personally.

Get the song books out! Not only is Christmas caroling a great way to spread the holiday cheer, but it’s also a great way to be missional and meet your neighbors! Tra la la la la!

Know of a family at work that could use extra help this holiday season? Pray about giving them a special gift from your family to theirs.

Trying to get your leaves raked before the weather turns too cold? See a neighbor who needs to do the same thing? Help them out by raking their yard too!

Host a block party for your neighbors. The upcoming holidays can provide a great opportunity to host your neighbors and get to know them better!

Participate in one of the missional projects next week. You’ll be creating opportunities to build and/or enhance your relationships.

TRICK-OR-TREAT! As super heroes and princesses visit your house this year, get to know their names, and their parents’ names, and where they live in your neighborhood.

Be nice to your family. When others see you speaking kindly to your spouse, kids or parents they will be more likely to trust you and form a relationship.

Maintain relationships with people! Use notes, calls and Facebook to keep in touch and send a "hello."

Invite a friend to our Chiefs Watch Party next week as part of our Grand Opening weekend!

Get to know the other parents on your kids’ sports teams. Exchange phone numbers so you can help with each others' kids, and brainstorm ways to get to know them outside of game days.

Take a non-church going friend to breakfast next Sunday morning. (After you’ve slept in, of course!)

Take a bundle of Avenue pens and use them to help start a spiritual discussion with friends this week!

Tip extra next time you're at a restaurant and write the server a note of encouragement on the restaurant's copy of the receipt.

Make a list of three relationships that are missional opportunities for you. Begin praying for opportunities to have a deeper conversation about beliefs.

Bake your missional cookies for your new teachers this week!

Go see the new Batman movie with coworkers. Already see it? Go see it again. It’s awesome. It’s only $5 if you to go AMC Monday-Thursdays!

Work with our Avenue Kids and invest in the lives of the next generation.

Host a cookout and invite the neighbors you want to get to know better.

Build a relationship with your hairdresser (or salon) and surprise them with a small gift next time you get your haircut.

Send an encouraging note to your mortgage lender and/or realtor letting them know you're thinking of them.

Is there a co-worker or neighbor you've been wanting to build a relationship with? Ask him or her to lunch in the next week.

Offer to babysit your friends' kids for free so they can have a date night.

Next time you buy a special treat for your dog, buy one for your neighbor's dog, too!

Take bagels and coffee to work. It could create a water cooler effect with lots of people gathering around one main area, and stimulate good conversation.

Ask a neighbor how you can be praying for them.

Did you get invited to an event hosted by your neighbor or co-worker? Go! Your interest in their activities will strengthen your relationships.