12 Step Program...

Step Five

Identify the Invisible People

The task of deciding what ministries are best suited for the community is one that must necessitate lots of input from the community. Never assume that you or the congregation knows what is best. Only the community can make that decision. Robert Lithicum, In Empowering the Poor, suggests three critical questions that need responses:

1. What do the people see as their issues?
Usually a church asks, "What do we think are the issues? Which issues should we address? What should we do to solve the problem?" The people in the community become objects to be ministered to, and the congregation is the subject to do the ministry. The goal of ministry should be to learn from the community what they believe their needs are and how they would choose to address the needs. In too many cases the congregation decides what they think the issues are, and then becomes frustrated when the community doesn't validate their program. This pitfall should be avoided.

2. Who are the real leaders?
Usually there are those who are perceived to be leaders in the community. They can prevent things from happening. They can block, harass, and cause trouble. Rarely do they initiate positive action. Pay attention to them. Often they need their backs stroked and egos patted. There are also leaders who make a community function. Every community has its "gatekeepers, caretakers, flak-catchers, and brokers." These should be identified.

The gatekeeper is the person who decides whether or not someone "gets through the gates" of the community. He is the official permission-giver.
The caretaker is usually the "Mama," or the "shepherd." Everyone seems to always gather at this home, especially the young.
The flak-catcher gathers the gossip in the community, using it either constructively or destructively. Get to know this person.
The broker is probably the most important person in the community. It is the broker who is the personal friend of a personal friend of a very influential person in the government or business. The broker can be identified by hypothesizing, "Suppose there is a broken street light on the block, and it has been broken for months, and the city just has not come come out and gotten it fixed. Which person is most likely to make sure it gets fixed?"
These four individuals should become close friends of the church and its ministry. They may never become members of the congregation, but they can open the doors for opportunities to minister to the economically disadvantaged in ways that are unimaginable.
3. Who are the people with a "fire in their belly?"
Seek out those who are sincerely concerned about the problems of the community, who care about the senior citizens or the homeless, who are genuinely concerned about the community and its issues.

Suggestions for Further Reading

Linthicum, Robert C. Empowering the Poor. MARC, 1991.

Durbin, Mary Ellen, et al. The Empowerment Process: Centering Social Ministry in the Life of the Local Christian Community. Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1994.

Hunter, George G. Church for the Unchurched. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.