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Healthy and vibrant churches understand their community. They find helpful ways to care for them while making disciples.
It is the core of a rightly discerned godly vision.
Many of us understand this but struggle to get there. We get frustrated and discouraged because it is hard work. Let’s be honest. Some of the hearts of our congregation yearn for yesteryear. They have fond memories of when people in our neighborhoods would come to us.
Yet, Jesus doesn’t let us get away with this. He moved into the neighborhood. He walked the streets. He met people. He demonstrated grace and truth. Then he charged us to do the same.
Observation is one of the keys to living out his charge.
Look for clues. Ask the right questions.
Start with these five questions:
Who lives in the neighborhood?
Simple demographic research from the US Census Bureau is good, but go deeper. Walk the streets. Pray as you walk. Observe the following:
- What do your neighbors drive?
- What type of bumper stickers are on their cars?
- Are the houses kept up?
- Are there animal lovers?
- How many people do you see in the early morning or after dinner walking or running?
- Are there college flags flying during football season?
- Is it a kid-friendly neighborhood?
- Is it safe?
Look up the voting map by precinct on your county’s website. This will tell you if your community is red/blue or both.
There are far too many questions posted here that will help you determine who lives in your neighborhood.
So here is a principle: Open your eyes and take note of everything you see. These are the community values.
Set an appointment to talk to school principals. Schools are one of three gateways to the local community. They will have a pulse on the families that live in the neighborhood.
Set an appointment with the police department's Community Resource Officer or ask for a ride along with a police officer who knows your area of town well. It is your second gateway into your community. They will know about the issues facing the neighborhood.
What do your neighbors do for a living?
Ask around.
There is an apartment complex in North Phoenix near the Technology Center of American Express. AMEX brings in engineers from all over the world for training and short-term projects. Many of them live there. Engineers are data-driven and analytical. They work around the clock.
The way a church approaches this community is different from a church in downtown Charlotte focused on the working poor.
When did they move into the community?
Churches located in high transient areas will have to approach ministry differently than those who are not. They may function more like a college ministry than a traditional church because of the turnover every few years.
Churches located in stable neighborhoods will have their challenges too. For instance, if the neighborhoods surrounding the church have been stable for years, most of your neighbors probably have already found a church. Your approach will have to be different.
Where do they shop, work, study, or play?
As you drive around, observe the retail businesses.
- What do they do, and who do they serve?
- Are they national chains or local shops?
- Where do the locals hang out? Find those places. You will have the opportunity to meet people and understand the community better.
Meet people in these places, not your office. Unless it is a confidential matter, it’s better to meet people in the same space as the community uses. By being faithfully present in spaces like these, you will become known. When there is a crisis, they will come to you. Perhaps do your sermon prep there too. It can be a great conversation starter.
- Where are the larger employment centers?
- Is there a dominant industry in your community?
- What type of schools are in your community?
- How many public, private, and charter schools are in your community? Who sends their kids to each type of school?
- How does the community view the schools?
- What are some of the issues facing the community?
What do people like to do in their free time?
Several neighborhoods in North-Central Phoenix are very active. They are loaded with growing families and friendly neighbors. It’s common to see people riding their bikes on the weekends to local places to eat and meet their friends.
It is a different feel than suburban communities where people roll into their driveways, open the garage door, and then close it.
Why did they move to here?
This question will help discover the motive.
Once you understand people’s motives, you can begin to understand their priorities and the way they view the world.
Learning the context of your community also has one added advantage: it will help you tailor your sermons and teachings to awaken their hearts and stir the minds of those outside the four walls of the church.
Answering these five questions will help you become an active and natural participant in your community.
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