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 | 1 Comment »
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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May 1st, 2008
Learn about one of the best approaches that we have seen to community outreach on this video. This approach is simple, results in revenue back to the ministry and reaches a broad variety of families and individuals. Check this out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9A5zsMRVRU. If you are a Virginia ministry go to www.angelfooodva.com.
Posted in Church Growth, Church Planting | No Comments »
May 1st, 2008
June 2 & 3rd, Compassion by Design will offer a 2 day intensive training on needs assessment for church leaders of both new churches and churches working to turn the missional corner. This training provides the skills and insights that will you allow you to lead your new church team or church volunteers through a high impact needs assessment. The outcomes will include lots of new relationships, insights into community ministry, new partnerships and real growth in the lives of all who participate. Email dmills@compassionbydesign.org if you would like to attend. The event will be held in Burlington New Jersey and begin at 1 p.m. on the 2nd, concluding at 4 p.m. on the 3rd. David Mills, author of two needs assessment manuals for new and existing churches will lead the training for compassion by design.
Posted in Church Growth, Church Planting, Missional Churches | No Comments »