The Church As A Good Neighbor in Obedience To The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) The Church As A Good Neighbor in 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 Individuals

Mobilizes volunteers Creates leadership Breaks down dependencies Builds hope and self worth Strengthens relationships Focus on Gifts & Capacity, not Needs:

Diaconal Ministry Team ESL Life Skills Financial Literacy After School Tutoring Family 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 Needs & dreams of the community Calling & capacity of the local church Mandates & desires of God HOLISTIC MINISTRY Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Needs and Dreams of the Community: Community Study & Networking Become a student of a neighborhood or a population group in order to become a trusted friend and reliable advocate. Learn with and from the community to identify attributes, assets, needs and dreams. Network with community leaders. Needs & dreams of the community Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action

Calling and capacity of the local church: Church Self-study/Ministry Inventory Take stock of your church's current involvement in external ministry and identify strengths and weaknesses for your continued ministry journey. Identify potential barriers in your church's relationship with the community, as well as natural points of connection. Calling & capacity of the local church

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action Mandates and Desires of God: Vision Discernment Identify a specific direction for compassion ministry, building on your assessment of your church, your target community, and God's leading. Mandates & desires of God

Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action Holistic Ministry: Strategic Ministry Plan Develop a concrete proposal that fleshes out the vision and lays out the steps for putting the plan into action, along with a long-range plan for sustaining transformational ministry. Mobilize the congregation's commitment and capacity to support the ministry vision. Needs & dreams of the community HOLISTIC MINISTRY Calling & capacity of the local church Mandates & desires of God

Improving Schools Public Transportation Parks & Recreation Safety Youth 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 Policies Zoning Voter Registration Affordable Housing Racial 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 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. Objectives

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 Training

Roy Heerema (Cedar Hill CRC), Chair Sonia Estrella (Good Shepherd CRC/Apoyo Community Center), Vice-Chair Doug Boydston (Covenant CRC), Secretary Steve Bruining (Cedar Hill CRC), Treasurer Rev. Ken Vander Wall (Madison Avenue CRC & Campus Ministry) Ken Johnson (Barnabas Foundation) Rev. Albert Sideco (Filipino CRC) Board of Directors

Al Santino (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee), Director David Zuidema (Covenant CRC), Administrator Maria Westbrook (Greater Life Inc.), Grant Writer/Consultant Staff & 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 path by walking in it !!! We build the path by walking in it !!!