Great thoughts August. The word "community" can be hard to define. Geographically, in a city, I'd define it as the neighborhood of the church. If no one from the church is a member there, all the more reason to work with residents of the neighborhood and the other local churches in the neighborhood for the transformation of that neighborhood. (examples: Salem OR Church as Neighborhood centers initiative, San Antonio TX Faith based initiative brings together many churches) I believe that a church body has a responsibility to be a good neighbor and make visible the kingdom in the specific place that it is located. Each member of that church also is called to be good neighbors where they live, work and play. There are lots of ways of discovering how to do that. But you are right, church members living elsewhere in the city can also work for the transformation of their individual neighborhoods, being a great neighbor and supporting the work of the local churches/organizations and institutions where they live, I just think we overlook the responsibility churches have to their particular neighborhoods and neighbors. So I think it's both and. And great idea - another discussion on how to do this well. Let me know if you'd like some resources. Hope you join in more discussions - you sound like you have great ideas!
Yes these are examples. Not sure what Classis you are part of, but you are right, there are some Diaconal conferences and coordinators still in place in the United States, but there used to be more. Canada has Diaconal Ministries Canada that helps facilitate diaconal work. I'm hoping to get more churches in the United States networking about diaconal work, particularly as they work with their community. I'm also thinking beyond denomination. Are local churches working with each other for the transformation of their local community or neighborhood - beyond banding together for food baskets and clothing drives? Here are two examples: The Boston Project - https://www.tbpm.org/community/tnt-neighbors-united/, Spring TX - https://www.otshca.org/) Let me know if you want to connect about church with community or diaconal work. Value your input!
Donna - so glad you found this and asked the question. You are right on! We are called to our church's neighborhood as well. It's right in the Deacon Ordination at least two times ("identify and develop gifts in both the church and community", "minister...both within and outside the church"). There are a lot of resources to share about this, including training for deacons, a cohort on Becoming a Community Focused church, Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) resources. I would love to walk alongside you (AND ANY OTHERS!) interested in learning from and with one another. Here's a short book that help us to think about our community: Congregations, Neighborhoods, Places, by Mark Mulder. You can sign up to receive the recordings of a webinar series I facilitated called Welcome to the Neighbourhood - Sign up here: https://worldrenew.net/uncategorized/welcome-to-the-neighbourhood. There is another about poverty (with Mark Mulder) that is very helpful. I'd love to know more about your church and neighborhood - contact me at [email protected] and we can find a time to chat!
Ed - I love this!! I've been a part of gardening and community gardens for years and one of the most amazing things is the connections I make with people while sharing food. One of the churches I was a Community pastor for worked with a community coalition to start community garden initiatives throughout their city - first as scattered site raised beds located primarily at places like schools, day cares, Sr. Centers, low income housing. Then we worked together to open up a Coalition led community garden, with the "requirement" that each person give 10% or more of what they grew to fight local food insecurity through the Healthy Food pantry. It was great to see the church walk alongside it's community, be a partner rather than control it, and meet people where they were at.
Thank you Carol. I've been trying to practice the circle of Lamenting, Listening, Learning, Living. Listening along with you. Let's keep at it together!!
I will be working out of my home in Massachusetts but traveling to GR and throughout the United States. Love to see and learn what is happening all over! We have some amazing kingdom work happening and let's strengthen that together!
Shout out to Canada - DMC for the amazing work you are doing. My time with you in January was so helpful and I look forward to learning more. Thanks for your hospitality and work.
Seems like you're not the only one interested in gathering. There are people across US who are connecting with their communities in amazing ways. I'm trying to connect to others in my new role as Church with Community coordinator (World Renew/CRCNA). I'd love churches of all kinds to hear stories and learn ways of creating community with neighbors, helping to transform the communities in which they have been placed. Let's connect and build a network.
Thank you Rudy for this important post. We need to have these conversations and learn. We mostly need a "vision against racism". Humility, repentance, lamenting and healing are needed in order to move forward together. Thanks so much!!
Here is a helpful response from Monika Grasley, Executive Director of Lifeline CRC, based in Merced, California, and World Renew board member and delegate for Classis Central California:
Coronavirus has changed the whole landscape for us. Churches are closed and have to think outside the box to find ways to engage with the congregation and the community. This morning in my devotional I read Luke 14:27 “anybody who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. The author reminded me that we cannot chose the cross we want to carry - that it is an all or nothing. “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world” John Wesley. This is our moment, for such a time as this were we called to desire nothing but God. Here are some of my reflections on what that could look like.
Things I learned from my community members who live in economic poverty:
- You should share your goods with others because you never know when you will need something from your neighbors.
- You don’t hoard, because you never know how life turns out and when it will be taken away.
- You support each other because you can't do it on your own.
- You tell others where to find resources.
- You barter, because everyone no matter how rich has a need, and everyone no matter how poor has a gift.
What could that mean for our churches?
- You have resources (extra TP, emergency food, technology, knowledge, volunteers, prayer partners….) - share the resources with others. Find out what under-resourced neighbors need by building relationships and hearing the story behind the story, and then engage in helping meet those needs, but also let them help you…. you will be surprised by their amazing giftedness.
- You have funds. With no Sunday service, you save on: electricity, water, money for snacks, staffing etc. etc. - invest that money in a local non profit that works around the clock to meet the needs of your community.
- Share your resources - this Sunday hundreds of churches streamed their services, while hundreds, thousands, of kids in your community do not have access to a computers to enhance their little brains during these months of isolation. How could churches coordinate efforts and help families get access to computers and the internet?
- Stay in this for the long haul - this week is only the beginning! Stay generous during this time of crisis, so that people can also reenter the workforce when the crisis is over. Many of the bigger churches in our country have reserves (emergency funds, building funds, investments…) what if that money would be used during this crisis and during the time of rebuilding? Today it will be milk, diapers and TP that families need, but next month they might need job training/mentors, child care help to get started again, micro loans to move forward, school supplies.
How can the church further His Kingdom…. by desiring nothing by God, being His hands and feet in this crisis and His arm of mercy and justice in the months to come.
What does that look like in practical ways:
- Be intentional - partner with non-profits that are doing this work well. A local restaurant opened up for a Saturday to give free meals (great idea) - but it will serve people who have the means to come out and get them, not the people who do not have transportation, or are not quick enough. So, think outside the box, ask good questions, make sure your resources are used where most needed.
- Don’t judge - we all respond differently to crisis, so don’t call someone irresponsible just because they use their money differently, or because they sell their food stamps. There is always more to the story, get to know people to know their story.
- Be generous - this is not the time to hold on to your resources, but to trust that God’s storehouse is full and that He will provide for your future needs if you are faithful to His cause.
Posted in: Coordination or Isolation? Diakonia Between Churches
Great thoughts August. The word "community" can be hard to define. Geographically, in a city, I'd define it as the neighborhood of the church. If no one from the church is a member there, all the more reason to work with residents of the neighborhood and the other local churches in the neighborhood for the transformation of that neighborhood. (examples: Salem OR Church as Neighborhood centers initiative, San Antonio TX Faith based initiative brings together many churches) I believe that a church body has a responsibility to be a good neighbor and make visible the kingdom in the specific place that it is located. Each member of that church also is called to be good neighbors where they live, work and play. There are lots of ways of discovering how to do that. But you are right, church members living elsewhere in the city can also work for the transformation of their individual neighborhoods, being a great neighbor and supporting the work of the local churches/organizations and institutions where they live, I just think we overlook the responsibility churches have to their particular neighborhoods and neighbors. So I think it's both and. And great idea - another discussion on how to do this well. Let me know if you'd like some resources. Hope you join in more discussions - you sound like you have great ideas!
Posted in: Coordination or Isolation? Diakonia Between Churches
Yes these are examples. Not sure what Classis you are part of, but you are right, there are some Diaconal conferences and coordinators still in place in the United States, but there used to be more. Canada has Diaconal Ministries Canada that helps facilitate diaconal work. I'm hoping to get more churches in the United States networking about diaconal work, particularly as they work with their community. I'm also thinking beyond denomination. Are local churches working with each other for the transformation of their local community or neighborhood - beyond banding together for food baskets and clothing drives? Here are two examples: The Boston Project - https://www.tbpm.org/community/tnt-neighbors-united/, Spring TX - https://www.otshca.org/) Let me know if you want to connect about church with community or diaconal work. Value your input!
Posted in: Deacons: Harbingers of the Kingdom
Donna - so glad you found this and asked the question. You are right on! We are called to our church's neighborhood as well. It's right in the Deacon Ordination at least two times ("identify and develop gifts in both the church and community", "minister...both within and outside the church"). There are a lot of resources to share about this, including training for deacons, a cohort on Becoming a Community Focused church, Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) resources. I would love to walk alongside you (AND ANY OTHERS!) interested in learning from and with one another. Here's a short book that help us to think about our community: Congregations, Neighborhoods, Places, by Mark Mulder. You can sign up to receive the recordings of a webinar series I facilitated called Welcome to the Neighbourhood - Sign up here: https://worldrenew.net/uncategorized/welcome-to-the-neighbourhood. There is another about poverty (with Mark Mulder) that is very helpful. I'd love to know more about your church and neighborhood - contact me at [email protected] and we can find a time to chat!
Posted in: When church doors shut, community gardens opened new opportunities for missional living
Ed - I love this!! I've been a part of gardening and community gardens for years and one of the most amazing things is the connections I make with people while sharing food. One of the churches I was a Community pastor for worked with a community coalition to start community garden initiatives throughout their city - first as scattered site raised beds located primarily at places like schools, day cares, Sr. Centers, low income housing. Then we worked together to open up a Coalition led community garden, with the "requirement" that each person give 10% or more of what they grew to fight local food insecurity through the Healthy Food pantry. It was great to see the church walk alongside it's community, be a partner rather than control it, and meet people where they were at.
Posted in: A Reflection: Is This OK?
Thank you for your important reflection! Working alongside you as we "wonder what kind of future world we envision"!
Posted in: Reordering Life Together
Jay - thanks for sharing that. I LOVE that they honored and celebrated their neighbors and neighborhood like that. Truly WITH their community.
Posted in: When Helping Hurts and Listening Helps
Thank you Carol. I've been trying to practice the circle of Lamenting, Listening, Learning, Living. Listening along with you. Let's keep at it together!!
Posted in: WITH! A Powerful Word for Community
I will be working out of my home in Massachusetts but traveling to GR and throughout the United States. Love to see and learn what is happening all over! We have some amazing kingdom work happening and let's strengthen that together!
Posted in: WITH! A Powerful Word for Community
Shout out to Canada - DMC for the amazing work you are doing. My time with you in January was so helpful and I look forward to learning more. Thanks for your hospitality and work.
Posted in: De-Colonizing Social Services: Aurora Commons, a Neighborhood Living Room
Hi Karl -
Seems like you're not the only one interested in gathering. There are people across US who are connecting with their communities in amazing ways. I'm trying to connect to others in my new role as Church with Community coordinator (World Renew/CRCNA). I'd love churches of all kinds to hear stories and learn ways of creating community with neighbors, helping to transform the communities in which they have been placed. Let's connect and build a network.
Jodi
Posted in: Antiracism, on Earth as It Is in Heaven
Thank you Rudy for this important post. We need to have these conversations and learn. We mostly need a "vision against racism". Humility, repentance, lamenting and healing are needed in order to move forward together. Thanks so much!!
Posted in: Community During COVID-19
Here is a helpful response from Monika Grasley, Executive Director of Lifeline CRC, based in Merced, California, and World Renew board member and delegate for Classis Central California:
Coronavirus has changed the whole landscape for us. Churches are closed and have to think outside the box to find ways to engage with the congregation and the community. This morning in my devotional I read Luke 14:27 “anybody who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. The author reminded me that we cannot chose the cross we want to carry - that it is an all or nothing. “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world” John Wesley. This is our moment, for such a time as this were we called to desire nothing but God. Here are some of my reflections on what that could look like.
Things I learned from my community members who live in economic poverty:
- You should share your goods with others because you never know when you will need something from your neighbors.
- You don’t hoard, because you never know how life turns out and when it will be taken away.
- You support each other because you can't do it on your own.
- You tell others where to find resources.
- You barter, because everyone no matter how rich has a need, and everyone no matter how poor has a gift.
What could that mean for our churches?
- You have resources (extra TP, emergency food, technology, knowledge, volunteers, prayer partners….) - share the resources with others. Find out what under-resourced neighbors need by building relationships and hearing the story behind the story, and then engage in helping meet those needs, but also let them help you…. you will be surprised by their amazing giftedness.
- You have funds. With no Sunday service, you save on: electricity, water, money for snacks, staffing etc. etc. - invest that money in a local non profit that works around the clock to meet the needs of your community.
- Share your resources - this Sunday hundreds of churches streamed their services, while hundreds, thousands, of kids in your community do not have access to a computers to enhance their little brains during these months of isolation. How could churches coordinate efforts and help families get access to computers and the internet?
- Stay in this for the long haul - this week is only the beginning! Stay generous during this time of crisis, so that people can also reenter the workforce when the crisis is over. Many of the bigger churches in our country have reserves (emergency funds, building funds, investments…) what if that money would be used during this crisis and during the time of rebuilding? Today it will be milk, diapers and TP that families need, but next month they might need job training/mentors, child care help to get started again, micro loans to move forward, school supplies.
How can the church further His Kingdom…. by desiring nothing by God, being His hands and feet in this crisis and His arm of mercy and justice in the months to come.
What does that look like in practical ways:
- Be intentional - partner with non-profits that are doing this work well. A local restaurant opened up for a Saturday to give free meals (great idea) - but it will serve people who have the means to come out and get them, not the people who do not have transportation, or are not quick enough. So, think outside the box, ask good questions, make sure your resources are used where most needed.
- Don’t judge - we all respond differently to crisis, so don’t call someone irresponsible just because they use their money differently, or because they sell their food stamps. There is always more to the story, get to know people to know their story.
- Be generous - this is not the time to hold on to your resources, but to trust that God’s storehouse is full and that He will provide for your future needs if you are faithful to His cause.
Thank you Monika!