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
Gifts of Individuals
Everyone has a gift.
Gifts must be identified:
∑ Hand - ∑ Heart - ∑ Head
Capacity Inventory:
physical skills, civic skills, artistic &
cultural skills
Focus on Gifts & Capacity, not Needs:
Mobilizes volunteers
Creates leadership
Breaks down dependencies
Builds hope and self worth
Strengthens relationships
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
Mandates &
desires of God
HOLISTIC
MINISTRY
Used by
permission of
Heidi Unruh,
Evangelicals for
Social Action
Calling &
capacity of the
local church
Needs &
dreams of
the
community
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 &
needs and dreams.
dreams of
Network with community
the
leaders.
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
Calling &
as natural points of
capacity of the
connection.
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.
Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action
Mandates &
desires of God
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.
Used by permission of Heidi Unruh, Evangelicals for Social Action
Mandates &
desires of
God
HOLISTIC
MINISTRY
Calling &
capacity of
the local
church
Needs &
dreams of
the
community
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




Government
Business
Schools
Parks & Recreation




Police
Library
Service Providers
Financial
Communities must influence their institutions in order
to open the treasury chest of these institutions to
provide resources.
Welfare Policies
Zoning
Voter Registration
Affordable
Housing
Racial Exclusion
Mission Statement
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.
Objectives
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.
COMMUNITIES FIRST Training
A workbook series
developed by
CRWRC and
available through
Faith Alive
Resources, which
addresses the topics
in this presentation.
Board of Directors
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)
Staff & Consultants
Al Santino (Christian Reformed World
Relief Committee), Director
David Zuidema (Covenant CRC),
Administrator
Maria Westbrook (Greater Life Inc.),
Grant Writer/Consultant
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 !!!