This is just another reason I am so thankful to be working with the Farragut Church.  The message Sunday reminded us that internally-healthy, yet "externally-focused" churches do not have a fortress mentality of "circling the wagons" and hunkering down - but quite the opposite.  Externally-focused churches (like Farragut) do not expect the community to come to us, but are actively engaging the culture and going to them to minister as Jesus ministered.

I was so very blessed by serving on the staff of the Madison Church of Christ, known in the community for serving others.  Early in my tenure at Madison, several of us joined the elders in knocking doors in the Madison area and I was pleasantly surprised by the response.  In fact, I was amazed by the high percentage of people who shared testimony after testimony of how the benevolence ministry, the children's ministry, the outreach ministry, the youth/camp ministry, the counseling ministry (and on and on) had positively impacted their families.  I was so proud to be associated with a church (with a long history) known in the community for loving and helping people.

My friend, Dr. Frank Scott (who grew up at Madison) is one of countless examples of the many who serve tirelessly, giving their lives every day to help others.

Sunday morning, Farragut will be hosting a family discussion on mental illness during the combined adult class in the auditorium.  Two ministers that I serve with, Daniel Harris and Paul Phelps will lead a discussion on mental illness and ministry.

Commissioner Virginia Trotter Betts from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities will be on hand to discuss the role of faith communities in working with those with a mental illness and the impact of mental illness on our communities.    Commissioner Betts is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in health and mental health policy and serves as a member of the cabinet of Governor Phil Bredesen.

This is a community-oriented service.  We expect members of the media, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, elected officials, service providers from Lake Shore Mental Health Institute, Peninsula, Cherokee Health Systems, Helen Ross McNabb Center and mental health consumers, family members and advocates from the Department’s Regional Policy and Planning council to be in attendance.

This is a culmination of months of planning, prayer and discussion between the Department of Mental Health and the leadership at Farragut. 

I'm excited because this is a gigantic step towards truly becoming a church family that reaches out to people wherever they are.  We should always strive to be a church family that is known for serving.

Commissioner Betts will also announce a new pilot project between Farragut and the Department of Mental Health.  This program is the first of its kind in the nation and makes Tennessee a national leader in using faith communities to respond to mental illness. Farragut will serve as a testing grounds.