12 Step Program...

Step Three

Mobilize The Congregation: Enlarging the Tent

For many centuries Christians have been comfortable with an understanding that God works in this world through the prescribed traditional methods of liturgy, service and worship. The human tendency is to make God too small, to make God fit into an easy container that everyone understands and accepts. The apostle Paul countered this errant tendency with the doxology: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, NRSV).

The task for those who would venture into compassionate ministries is to gain the support of the local congregation. The ministry must touch the nerve of congregational concern and speak the language of congregational compassion.

Every congregation has an identity. Time must be taken to explore and exegete the congregation. In Basic Steps Toward Community Ministry, Carl S. Dudley suggests three areas of such exploration.

1. Find Sources in Church Heritage
The heritage of the local congregation might provide valuable clues between the timeless sources of faith, such as the Bible and the sacraments, and the particular experiences of faithfulness among the members. The envisioned ministry must seek grounding in the congregation's inclination to be faithful to its own heritage.

2. Build on Congregational History
Like a rudder through hard times, the stories told by the older individuals in the congregation bring authenticity to the path that has been traveled. Listen to these stories and begin to identify the congregation's uniqueness, its history, and how it relates to the community. Look for journey stories, crisis stories, rooted stories, service stories, and mission stories.

3. Analyze Strengths and Limitations
Prepare a questionnaire to be used to gather information about the personal commitments and social dynamics of congregational life. Here are six questions that may serve useful in analysis:

Context: What is the relationship of the church to its community?
Identity: What is the members' sense of congregational unity?
Trust: How have members responded to decision making?
Faith: Does the faith of this congregation support this ministry?
Commitment: Will the members give to support this ministry?
Advocacy: Are justice issues included in this ministry?
The result of this effort would be sensitivity to the different views expressed about the ministry of compassion.
Suggestions for Further Reading

Bloom, Dorothy. Church Doors Open Outward: A Practical Guide to Beginning Community Ministry. Judson Press, 1987.

Watkins, Derrel R. Christian Social Ministry. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994.