This term has become synonymous (in more progressive church circles at least) with the term ‘missional living’. In Niddrie, Community Service is something imposed upon you by the courts in the place of a prison sentence. When I was sentenced to community service back in the late 80’s (for burglary) I had to spend 40 hours of my life cleaning toilets, painting, digging gardens and handing out meals to the elderly.
It seems that more and more young people are receiving community service in Niddrie, most particularly young girls/women. Recently, one of the young lads on our football team asked if I would consider allowing him to do his community service (160 hours) in the church and I agreed to speak to his probation officer (or court appointed officer – the titles change with the weather). We met this week and she not only agreed to him helping out but we agreed to accommodate the service with regards to other young people seeking placements.
In effect, we are now recognised as ‘community service placement’. This is exciting for a number of reasons: (1) we are performing a hands on service for the ‘community’. (2) we are offering young people the chance to put something ‘back’ into community life (3) we have the opportunity to witness to people who would not normally darken our door. The young man will be starting in a few weeks and his only available day is Sunday. That means he will have to come early, set up the chairs, help with the technical equipment, serve the teas before the service, sit through the service, and help clear up afterwards. What an opportunity! I’ve told him that if there is any backchat then I will be starting a tambourine playing group and he will be leading it up the front!
Who knows where this partnership will go or how it will develop, but it is worth a punt. Pray for us.