BLOCK PARTY

We host a quarterly block party. We began this when we moved back to New Orleans. Chad and Cindy have been instrumental to our success: partners, outdoor space, Chad's cooking, Cindy's admin support for it... We've had several now - each time it is larger, more successful and has opened more doors into their lives, more opportunity to bless and BE the Gospel.

This year - we had seventy people come and this only inviting people one block in each direction of our intersection. The addition to the party of a bouncy castle toy was a huge blessing and made taking care of the kids that much more fun for them, easy for adults.

Why do we do it? Well - post Katrina re-creating our neighborhood community is an intentional task. NO is a natural relational hotbed, but with 50% turn over in home ownership, it's a task! This creates the opportunity to bless, serve, build the credibility to speak into their lives as they get thirsty for why we're so different.


















This party in conjunction with an intentional desire to serve the people and be the Gospel in deed, then word, is part of our "Gospel in presence" - simply stated - they see how we are together and different... they smell something different and they get to "taste and see" that He is good.

Since the party, we've had numerous in-roads to the level where people lean on us. Here are some:
1. Patsy; "I just love you all - you are so trustworthy and bless everyone. Thank you. We just love you." ...later in the conversation; "I'm leavingt town for a week. Could I ask if you'd watch my place for me while I'm gone?"

2. Heidi & Rob: Heidi wanted to take her husband to dinner for his birthday. Her arranged child care fell through. She asks if any of our singles wanted to make a few bucks... They were busy, so we took her son, same age as our boys, and he played here, then at bed time, I took him home and he went to sleep and I worked on my laptop from there. Hard, right? I even had some of the guys in our community step over and we had a mentoring meeting. They wanted to give us an expensive bottle of wine, they lauded us and chatted away... opening more into their world and real world challenges.

















3. Son and Lan: now coming to Matthew's Table (our open Thu night dinner), invite all the kids over for ice cream... I was out on an appointment. I come home and they have Chad over there. They won't let him go until he answers "What is it we do? Who are we? What's up with us?"

4. Christine and Jason ask if one of our singles, Amanda, will house sit again because we are so trustworthy.

5. John and Molly: now hang out a couple of times each week, John went to a cigar tasting with most of our guys. They eat with us often now, and look for every opportunity to bless us back... They are now having the beginning conversation of their faith crisis after Katrina.

All we did is burn burgers! Being Jesus isn't hard, isn't complex theology - its love, sacrificial humble posture and willingness to care, listen and commit. Easy to understand, complex to obey and rewarding to become.