12 Step Program...
Step Four
Define Your Community
The chapters in Acts that sketch Paul's heroic travels are some of
the most exciting in the Bible, and give some clue to the method by
which he built coalitions and established partnerships. In chapter
16 of Romans we find a list of various people who supported Paul:
Andronicus and Junia are greeted as fellow apostles (16:7); the members
of the church that meets in the house of Prisca and Aquilla are greeted
(16:3); many more people who are otherwise unfamiliar are listed and
thanked for some work they have done. Paul was always building coalitions
in ministry. Here are some helpful places to start building relationships.
District Superintendent and Advisory Board
Whenever the decision is made to embark upon a ministry that will
set up a separate 501(c)(3) entity, permission should be sought, according
to Manual provisions, from the district superintendent and the advisory
board. The most appropriate way to present this request is by inviting
the DS to a meeting of interested parties, some of whom may eventually
constitute the board of directors.
In an attempt to strengthen relationships with the district, some
organizations have asked the DS to appoint a district representative
to serve as a board member. While this is optional, it creates a sense
of accountability and responsibility for the organization.
Other Pastors and Congregations
Arrange meetings with pastors and leaders of other congregations to
acquaint them with the opportunities that are available for extended
ministry. Should the district approve the new organization as a "Approved
Mission Special," it is important to begin early to get the word
out and build alliances for the future. This is also the best time
to start recruiting volunteers for various forms of ministry.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
An Application for Identification as a Compassionate Ministry Center
should be submitted to the office of NCM USA/Canada (6401 The Paseo,
Kansas City, MO 64131). This recognition begins the process of affiliation
with the network of Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Centers. To complete
the process the following documents must be submitted:
Bylaws
Articles of Incorporation
Tax-exempt certification (U.S., 501(c)(3), IRS letter)
District Recommendation Form
There also needs to be a statement from the District Advisory Board
recommending that the organization be recognized as a compassionate
ministry center. A sample statement appears below:
Sample Statement from the District Advisory Board
By vote of the __________________District Advisory Board, the above-identified
organization is hereby recommended as a Compassionate Ministry Center.
It is understood that this organization will be eligible for funding
from the Church of the Nazarene and to receive contributions through
either or both the Compassionate Ministries Fund and the "Approved
Mission Special" giving program, whenever the basic requirements
have been met.
Suggestions for Further Reading
Manual, Church of the Nazarene. Kansas City, MO: Nazarene Publishing
House, 1997.
Define Your Community
In a previous time, most or all members of a congregation lived in
the geographical area surrounding the church. As America has become
urbanized, evangelicalism has contributed to the constant economic
uplift of its members, resulting in a mobile membership. The community
to be served must be identified.
Chart the Physical Boundaries
Physical boundaries include major streets, highways, and railroad
tracks or natural barriers such as hills, valleys, and rivers. Churches
need to identify both the immediate area in which they will provide
primary service to people in need and a larger area where their members
live. As research is done, it may be discovered that some kinds of
ministry could be located, not with geography, but rather with a particular
population that transcends location. Physical boundaries alone do
not necessarily define a community.
Identify the Anchor Institutions
Significant institutions often shape the way of life in a community.
Just as the physical contours define community, so do schools, hospitals,
prisons, military bases, and recreational facilities. These anchor
institutions provide the fundamental sources of power and decision-making
in the community. If the proposed compassionate ministry center is
going to have any significant impact on the lives of individuals,
respect must be given to these institutions of stability.
Look for the Gathering Places
Without doubt, churches are widely recognized gathering places. But
so are parks, schools, service clubs, taverns, street corners, lodges,
and sporting clubs. The values of the community can only be accurately
evaluated as all the gathering places are considered. Churches of
different theological persuasions are also legitimate gathering places,
and in them you might find willing allies to your ministry.
Here are some examples of the results of such recommended research:
The major institutions in this community are education, farming,
industry, and retirement. In addition to six public schools, there
is a small church-related college with 1,000 students and private
grammar school.… Farming is also a large institution in the
area. Like most farmers, agriculturalists are suffering economic hardship
here, and the small family farm is giving way to agribusiness.
The boundaries of our church project service area is Calumet Park,
with portions of the city overlapping to the north and east starting
north to 119th, south to 131st, east to Halsted, and west to Winchester.
We wanted to include the portions of Chicago to the north and east
because:
They are neighbors.
We have members in those surrounding areas.
It is a part of our outreach ministry program.
Suggestions for Further Reading
Dudley, Carl S. Basic Steps Toward Community Ministry. The Alban
Institute, 1991.
Hessel, Dieter. Social Ministry. Westminster Press, 1982.
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