It is surprising that so many churches plan their outreach ministries from the inside out. Members meet at the church or at a distant retreat site to discuss what programs and services they want to offer their community. All too often, their decisions are based on casual observation, mere supposition, or—worse—their own limited interests, tight budgets, or busy schedules. While the results may be much-appreciated handouts of food and clothing, along with recreation and tutoring for youth, some crucial community needs and opportunities may easily be overlooked.

• Research and Discovery
• Ministry by Walking Around
• The Unofficial Leader
• From the Outside In

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Ella Broom and her son Lorenzo on the Anti-Drug Walk through the community, sponsored by Mt Zion United Methodist Church in Mississippi. Courtesy Mt. Zion UMC.

At Cornerstone United Methodist Church—which I formerly served in a middle-class section of New Orleans, Louisiana—we noticed that many people were coming to our food bank from low-income neighborhoods. They had to come by taxicab or in friends' cars because bus service was not available in their area. Thus, after doing a survey and demographic study of our community, we decided to close our food bank and to reopen it at a community center closer to the inner city. At Cornerstone, we started a food co-op service instead.

Research and Discovery

Some initial research to discover what people live in the church's surrounding community and what their needs, concerns, and capabilities are can help your church develop a more effective outreach ministry. One successful church where I went to talk about community-based ministry had already spent several years developing an impressive strategic plan. The church leaders had revamped their administrative structure and financial procedures. They had created vision groups and had empowered the laity to become "holy and bold" in their approach to doing ministry. There was only one problem: Everything was focused on the needs, concerns, and convenience of church members. Few if any of them lived in the low-income, underdeveloped neighborhood adjacent to the church.

After some rethinking, church leaders are now doing a thorough community assessment to get to know their neighborhood. They are using demographic statistics, population profiles, survey questionnaires, and close observation. By studying demographics, church leaders can learn the typical age groups, education and income levels, family structures, occupations, leisure activities, consumer patterns, and churchgoing preferences among their neighbors. Knowing such facts can help a church recognize opportunities and obstacles as it seeks to plan realistic goals and strategies.

The church leaders I visited are also having face-to-face encounters with community residents and leaders, business owners, police officers, school administrators, and other service providers in their area. As a result, church members are beginning to know their church's neighbors: who they are, what they care about, and what gifts and assets they have to offer. Just as important, the members are learning what their neighbors think of them.
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Joe Connelly introduces the Discovery Church Journey at Ben Hill UMC, Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by John Coleman.

The next goal for some will be encouraging local residents to feel that the church welcomes them and is responsive to their needs. In fact, imminent plans to construct a gleaming new church facility are being reviewed with an eye toward also helping to develop area housing and small businesses. This would enhance the community as well as the church.

Ministry by Walking Around

Engaging in face-to-face conversations with neighbors from all walks of life can provide pastors and laity with important insights into a community's make-up, its range of views and experiences, and its hidden assets and problem areas. These conversations require going to the places people frequent, such as hair salons, barber shops, grocery stores, parks, gyms, and bus stops. It is a process I call "ministry by walking around." This term paraphrases the popular, hands-on model of business management. Even more, it resembles the modus operandi of Jesus of Nazareth.

The twofold purpose here is to observe and be observed. While actively looking at and listening to the community for enlightenment, church members should also be seen walking around the neighborhood, conversing with residents. Such visibility may inspire public acceptance, candor, and interest in the church's efforts. In addition, members may discover areas where unchurched people can be found and where target groups may be reached with special ministries.

The Unofficial Leader

While it is important to meet and engage local political, business, and religious figures, the most respected person in the area may be an unofficial community leader, such as a store owner, a teacher, or a public-housing resident. This may be someone who has cared for, counseled, and helped raise families—who sustains and interprets the community's cultural traditions—who knows its past and seems to know its future.

A church interested in doing vital community ministry should seek out the area's unofficial leader, get acquainted, and convey the church's vision and purpose. The congregation should cultivate the unofficial community leader, with the aim of forming a genuine friendship and providing mutual support.

From the Outside In

Ministry by walking around and demographic analysis are part of an outreach process that works from the outside in. The main objectives of this process are to understand and show sensitivity to the community, to learn from the people, and to develop mutually supportive relationships that can lead to more effective ministry.

Ministry With All God's Children
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