Church, Community & Culture
Recently I was honored to sit down with a pastor and church board and one of the topics of conversation had to do with taking a look at the community around the church. Something that jumped out at the men around the table was that the number of single moms was higher than the national average. The board rightly asked, “What is being done for them? What can we do to minister to these single moms?”
If you want to make an impact on your community you need to make sure what you are doing actually meets a significant need for a significant demographic. During my Sabbatical I visited a Nazarene Church in a county with the second highest age demographic in the nation. That reality played a significant role in how they reached their community. If that congregation decided to be ultra-contemporary it would not have made demographic sense. If they spent a large sum of money remodeling the nursery at church it would not have made demographic sense. Ministry was shaped by the need in the community. Please understand I am not suggesting remodeling their nursery would be a bad idea or reaching young people is not important. I am suggesting we would be wise to let our demographic influence how we minister.
Too many churches launch out with an excitement for ministry to the community without first determining if the community actually needs what they are trying to offer. Following a season of prayer, the first thing a church needs to do is to take the pulse of their community. In addition to community demographics, this can be done by meeting with the Fire Department, Police Officers, the community mayor and other leaders.
Once you know what needs exist in your community, the research is still not complete. The congregation who is forming a vision to reach their community needs to know who they are and what gifts or interests they possess. If a need exists for which the congregation is not equipped to meet then I discourage you from taking that need on. The congregation will quickly be discouraged and potentially draw conclusions about outreach that are dangerous to the mission of God for that congregation.
However, when you know who God has created you to be and what gifts and abilities you possess, a pathway of ministry will begin to emerge that intersects with the needs of your community. Passion will be ignited as the congregation is true to who God created them to be while simultaneously blessing those God calls us to serve. It really is an exciting moment of discovery and service!
If you want to have a vibrant church, know who you are in Christ. Know what needs actually exist in your community. Now you are ready to pray specifically for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the missional tasks ahead. Speaking of which, our next vibrancy conversation will concern prayer. Until then, may the Lord bring a vibrant spirit and Spirit to your congregation.