The Church As A Good Neighborin Obedience To The Great

Commandment(Matthew 22:37-40)

The Church As A Good Neighborin Obedience To The Great

Commandment(Matthew 22:37-40)

Churches, citizens, associations, and institutions

are working together to transform their communities by enhancing the quality of life to reflect the peace and justice of

the Kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 29:7: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

I Timothy 2:1-2: “I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Walk & pray in the community

Listen to the people:Community History, Needs, Gifts, Opportunities

Map the assets:Churches, Associations, Businesses, Institutions

Everyone has a gift.

Gifts must be identified:∑ Hand - ∑ Heart - ∑ Head

Capacity Inventory:physical skills, civic skills, artistic & cultural skills

Gifts of IndividualsGifts of Individuals

Mobilizes volunteers

Creates leadership

Breaks down dependencies

Builds hope and self worth

Strengthens relationships

Focus on Gifts & Capacity, not Needs:Focus on Gifts & Capacity, not Needs:

Diaconal Ministry Team ESLLife SkillsFinancial LiteracyAfter School TutoringFamily Issues

Understand the current reality of the person in need.

Identify realistic dreams.

Create a plan.

Walk with person on the path to shalom.

Celebrating Community:Block Parties etc.

Listening and Dialogue

Joining Community Groups/Associations

Convening the Community for Visioning

CHURCH-BASED COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION MODEL

CHURCH-BASED COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION MODEL

Needs & dreams of

the community

Calling & capacity of the local church

Mandates & desires of God

HOLISTIC MINISTRY

Used bypermission ofHeidi Unruh, Evangelicals forSocial Action

Needs and Dreams of the Community: Community Study & Networking Become a student of a neighborhood or a population group in order tobecome a trusted friend andreliable advocate. Learn withand from the community toidentify attributes, assets,needs and dreams.Network with communityleaders.

Needs & dreams of

the community

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Calling and capacity of the local church: Church Self-study/Ministry InventoryTake stock of your church's current involvement in external ministry and identify strengthsand weaknesses for yourcontinued ministry journey.Identify potential barriers inyour church's relationshipwith the community, as wellas natural points ofconnection.

Calling & capacity of the

local church

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Mandates and Desires of God:Vision DiscernmentIdentify a specific direction forcompassion ministry, buildingon your assessment of yourchurch, your targetcommunity, and God'sleading.

Mandates & desires of God

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Holistic Ministry:Strategic Ministry PlanDevelop a concrete proposalthat fleshes out the vision andlays out the steps forputting the plan intoaction, along with along-range plan forsustainingtransformational ministry.Mobilize the congregation'scommitment and capacityto support the ministry vision.

Needs & dreams of

the community

HOLISTIC MINISTRY

Calling & capacity of

the local church

Mandates & desires of

God

Improving SchoolsPublic TransportationParks & RecreationSafetyYouth Development

Citizen Associations They are the strength of the

community. Local decisions and problem solving. Local control. Enhance communication. Integration of many people.

Power of Institutions

Communities must influence their institutions in order to open the treasury chest of these institutions to

provide resources.

Government Business Schools Parks & Recreation

Police Library Service Providers Financial

Welfare PoliciesZoningVoter Registration

Affordable HousingRacial Exclusion

The mission of the Holistic Ministry Team is to educate, encourage, and equip congregations

and holistic organizations to transform their communities through ministries of mercy,

development, and justice.

Mission StatementMission Statement

The Holistic Ministry Team is:

– An Intermediary Organization that is able to gather funding and resources from a wide range of sources to empower ministries toward community service and development.

– A Capacity Building Organization that provides training, consultation, and access to resources that will develop the personnel, organizational management, and ministry skills of our partners.

ObjectivesObjectives

ObjectivesObjectives

The Holistic Ministry Team is:

– A Networking Organization that builds relationships between churches, associations, and citizens and convenes them for collaborative efforts that address community needs.

A workbook series developed by CRWRC and

available through Faith Alive

Resources, which addresses the topics in this presentation.

COMMUNITIES FIRST TrainingCOMMUNITIES FIRST Training

Roy Heerema (Cedar Hill CRC), Chair Sonia Estrella (Good Shepherd CRC/Apoyo Community Center), Vice-ChairDoug Boydston (Covenant CRC), SecretarySteve Bruining (Cedar Hill CRC), TreasurerRev. Ken Vander Wall(Madison Avenue CRC & Campus Ministry)Ken Johnson (Barnabas Foundation)Rev. Albert Sideco (Filipino CRC)

Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors

Al Santino (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee), Director

David Zuidema (Covenant CRC), Administrator

Maria Westbrook (Greater Life Inc.), Grant Writer/Consultant

Staff & ConsultantsStaff & Consultants

Churches walking with their communities, finding a path that belongs to the people.

A focus on community gifts & assets.

Community from the minds of its’ people.

We build the pathby walking in it !!!We build the pathby walking in it !!!