July 6th, 2008
Does it matter? Faith Based has become the vocabulary for describing the intersection between social service providers tied to the faith community and government interests and resources for the same. Since our social fabric depends on charitable providers to fill the gaps where public services fall short, and the gaps are plentiful, it really does matter what happens in this discussion.
Some new parts of the discussion are beginning to emerge, but it in order to understand this discussion you have to discern what is politics, what’s likely to last and how it might impact those who are just interested in reaching hurting people–we have to pay attention. The direction that this set of policies and opportunities will head is now taking shape, and while new program initiatives are not yet clear, the time for preparing our community based organizations for the next set of realities has begun.
Many elements of the charitable world are anything but a-political. While they cannot overtly engage in politics without risking their non-profit status, they find ways to engage none the less. For those who are a bit more naive about politics and charity, it means that we have to understand the forces that now shape the future, and prepare our ship to sail through what lies ahead. To ignore the winds that are already blowing is akin to the master of a sailing ship planning to waste time, lose speed and fight the wind rather than allow it to speed the vessel on. No sailor wants to allow the sails to luff (flap in the wind), but will trim his course and sails to take best advantage of the force of the wind.
While we call ourselves by many different titles, community based, community development, outreach, we will be affected by the policies, resources and partnerships that are now being formed related to faith based. As they continue to develop we will have to review our course and make adjustments to keep us moving forward.
Posted in Capacity Building with Community Service Organizations, Church Planting, Community Ministry, Compassion Ministry | No Comments »
July 3rd, 2008
Both camps are making lots of pronouncements about their plans for faith based. I believe it boils down to a single issue– religious hiring rights. If you want to know who will help us keep our religious freedom when serving with public resources, this is the primary issue.
Many other issues have been settled by law or by court decision, but this one remains a great risk for those who accept federal funds. Some funds exempt us from having to hire outside our religious beliefs, others do not– but it is a deal breaker for most of us, if we are forced to hire those with lifestyles that are antithetical to our faith.
You can learn more about this at the center for public justice. www.cpjustice.org. You can also get grant help (including knowing which funds to accept or to reject), but checking out grant services at www.compassionbydesign.org. And even funds that don’t come to you directly from the federal government can carry these risks or protections.
Posted in Capacity Building with Community Service Organizations, Church Planting, Community Ministry, Compassion Ministry, Missional Churches, Needs Assessment | No Comments »
June 7th, 2008
Its a staple for my kids college dorm friends, and for lots of other Americans. Ah, those tasty noodles with such an easy preparation process. Imagine my surprise when I was the object of Top Ramen Discrimination in my local grocery store. We needed some Ramen, you see, for a gag gift being given to my youngest, who graduated from high school last night. Imagine my surprise when I found myself feeling embarrassed for asking about where to find it. They didn’t know what it was, and also didn’t know where it was. I got really interesting looks from shoppers and store staff as a result of my quest for what I thought was a normal noodle purchase.
They made it clear that I was in the wrong store.
This Ramen experience reminded me about the way that our society is really divided into castes–economic barriers that keep people in their place. The store that I shop at is in a upper middle-class neighborhood complete with a sushi chef. The idea that someone of “my stature” would be looking for the staple of the masses, just didn’t fit the social image of my shopping environment. And while noodle choice cannot be placed in the top tier of demographic targeting, it does illustrate the importance of having a deep understanding of culture. We must realize how seriously these subtle social perspectives can influence behavior and responses to ministry.
Understanding the real social, economic and values groupings of the people around us is an important part of our community ministry and church planting preparation. One successful pastor told me that it took him nearly 10 years to really “get” the community in which he planted. We really can’t afford to take that long if we are going to grow healthy new churches. Needs Assessment is one simple way to accelerate the process, because you cannot learn about the Ramen Groups from any demographic survey.
You have to talk to people, listen for their values and cultural perspectives in person–and that’s just what needs assessment helps with.
I would be interested in hearing back (by blog comment) from those who have discovered other unusual social groupings, the ones that lie just beneath the surface. Have you discovered another shopping or Autophobic, or Sportsomatic social strata in some accidental way?
I found the social class that draws the line at cheap noodles, and learned that none of my local outreach events should feature Top Ramen as a menu item.
Posted in Church Planting, Community Ministry, Needs Assessment | No Comments »
May 25th, 2008
Random acts of kindness tend to be the default for new churches working to connect with their community. I have done my share– free car washes, store front hot dog roasts. I wonder how “random” lines up with the Biblical models? Was Jesus encounter with the woman at the well random? Did the multiplying of the bread and fishes for the multitude happen as a happy accident? What about the admonitions that we should serve “soberly” as our “reasonable worship” based on the faith and gifts given to us (Romans 12)?
While random service does open the opportunity for divine appointments, and it is exciting as an adventure–does it teach our team that God’s plan for our impact on the community is a complete mystery, or even worse that there is no plan at all? I think that perhaps using our gifts outside the safe confines of the church is plenty of adventure all by itself. When we view it only as a random act, not something to be sustained or thoughtfully planned, we miss the point that our giftedness is actually part of the creative design to transform our community.
What if our acts of service could be careful (soberly, as Romans 12 describes) considered, so that they match up our unique gifting and calling with the special needs of the city around us? What if we could assess the opportunities for meaningful service and line them up with our talents, calling and the gift package comprised of our combined uniqueness? Its really a simple process, and is already an established and accepted part of the community– its called community needs assessment.
While random may be macho– it may not be Godly.
Put simply, needs assessment is a 8 step team process that takes our entire plant team into the community to listen. We return from surveys and interviews with deeper insight into our community, a more equipped team, and the ability to walk the path of intentional service. And instead of accidental progress, we intentionally build both relationships and focus.
Exploring God’s design for us shouldn’t just be a random trek through an uncharted wilderness. Random service is like flying the starship Enterprise with all the sensors turned off– that’s a good way to fly into a planet. If we are planning and developing the rest of our new church on purpose, then wouldn’t we also want to build our community service and outreach with intention and focus?
Next needs assessment training: June 2 and 3 in Burlington NJ. Email me if you are interested in attending
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