Lightning bolt can help us get back to basics for mission says Church Army

19 September 2006

How do you encourage Christians to 'Get OUT More' for mission? Easy, according to Church Army who have selected 'Get OUT More' as the theme for Church Army Sunday - held  this coming Sunday on 24th September.

Church Army's new materials ask churches to imagine that their church has been struck by lightning and the congregation is forced to meet in the open air. Christian author Peter Graystone has produced a brief group study guide, available FREE at  which encourages churches to think creatively about engaging with the community outside church buildings - just as the first century church would have done.

The group study guide is backed up with tips for faith sharing from Church Army and other organisations who are supporting 'Get OUT More' including Activate, Premier Christian Radio, Purpose Driven Church Europe, Inspire Magazine, and Youth for Christ spokesperson and songwriter Andy Flanagan. Tips produced by author and evangelist Andrew Wooding include starting a pub church, running a holiday club for the elderly, organising a meal for the whole of the street and hosting a film discussion event - a further 30 tips are available as downloadable sound files on the website, and around 100 short tips for faith sharing are also about to be launched on the site.

The initiative to encourage churches to Get OUT More for mission has also been backed by a numbers of senior bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury who comments; "I pray that this focus to 'Get OUT More' will receive widespread support and encourage churches in their own outreach."

David Coleman, Church Army Communications Manager whose own church community  marked 'Get OUT More' with a week of 24/7 prayer adds; " I am delighted that our call for churches to 'Get OUT More' has been so positively received. Through the tips for mission broadcast on Premier Christian Radio and coverage in Inspire Magazine as well as commitment from church leaders, evangelists and congregations on the ground, many have caught this vision to 'Get OUT More' for mission and make a difference for their faith in their own community. God is out there in the world doing surprising and exciting things, often in places we least expect to find Him. It might be tough at times as we make ourselves vulnerable to people around us, but it is worth it when we see lives touched in different ways by the love of Christ."

Church Army has set up a special website with resources to help encourage and equip churches to Get OUT More for mission at