Developing community-facing churches
that will transform their neighbourhood
through good news and good deeds
The journey that
brought us here…
Every neighbourhood
across New Zealand
befriended by a local church
and blessed through ongoing
‘Prayer Care Share’
Service is a double win
Through selfless service we demonstrate
the relevance of the Gospel to our world
Service ignites the passion of our people
and is the path to spiritual growth and a
healthier church
Over 5 years…
We have told the stories of ordinary churches
doing extraordinary things in their community
We have showcased the best practices, tools
and resources of successful practitioners and
agencies
www.loveyourneighbour.org.nz
Partners
Alpha
Baptist Churches of NZ
Biblesinaction
Caleb Leadership Ministries
Carey Baptist College
Challenge Weekly
Child Evangelism Fellowship
Christians Against Poverty
Church Army
Evangelism Explosion
40 Days of Community
Laidlaw College
NZ Christian Network
OAC Ministries
Prison Fellowship
Rhema Broadcasting Group
Scripture Union
Tandem Ministries
The problem
Some churches, full of people of goodwill
who wish to engage with their community,
never do
Other churches seem to be doing so well,
and then suddenly stop
We have found the missing link!
We have discovered the vital importance of
a ‘cheerleader’ for community involvement
within the church
Addressing this key need is therefore also
mission-critical to Love Your Neighbour
19-21 July 2010
16 Practitioners from around the country and
across a broad denominational spectrum
The big idea – to gain their wisdom on the way
forward for us in providing/strengthening this
vital ‘link’
What they told us
Most feel isolated and misunderstood
within their church context
The number one obstacle identified by
practitioners at the summit was church
leadership
Many feel the burden of being solely
responsible for all that their church does in
the community
A philosophy of community engagement:
where are the best opportunities?
The content of practical training
What we took away from the Summit
We are looking for people who can mobilise
others, not just do it all themselves
This needs to be something the whole church
buys into – allocation of resources and ‘airtime’
We need to focus on building community
relationships that can be sustained by ordinary
people, not just ‘needs specialists’
Churches needs a plan for progressing from good
deeds to good news
Desires to help train church-based Community
Links to release churches into community
engagement in service of the gospel
Could unleash thousands of volunteers
presently inactive in churches
In partnership with denominations, CViC is offering to
equip community oriented church volunteers
(‘Community Links’)
By:
1. establishing an accredited training programme
2. facilitating networking and support
3. providing appropriate ministry resources
Undergirding principles
• In partnership with denominations
• A dual-track approach – both the church and
trainee are on a journey
• Training through an action-reflection process
Training
Mentoring
Appraisal
Equipped Community Links
The Model
Mentoring
& support
over 24
months
Course
reading
and
reflection
Four Training Days
One weekend
conference
The Training
Training will revolve around four key
aspects of ministry, including:
Training
Mentoring
The theological and spiritual, including
how to share the gospel;
Relational skills, such as communication
and building effective volunteer teams
Practical skills such recruitment, delegation
and project management
Mutual support and networking for the
sharing of inspiration, ideas and resources
Appraisal
Mentoring
Training
Appraisal
Mentors:
Equipped Community Links
• Should be external to the church
• Be suitably experienced to support and advise
within the context of community engagement
• CViC will assist in sourcing mentors –
denominations can assist here also
Signed agreements will outline key areas of relationship
Appraisal
Supervision
Training
Two annual appraisals:
Equipped Community Links
• To review the progress of the candidate and
their ministry
• Conducted by CViC in conjunction with church
leadership
Memorandum of Understanding
with participating churches
• Can be negotiated in every denominational context
• Agreed role of Community Link
• Support of their Community Link
• Agreed church ‘milestones’ e.g. a church course like
‘Outflow’ and a church-wide service project
• An intentional plan for integrating those that come to
church as a result of our engagement
The Cost
$500.00 per annum
(payments of $10 per week?)
‘Taste and See’ Training Day
- $125