12 Step Program...

Step Six

Utilize the Velcro Community Approach

Having surveyed the community, it is now time to decide what ministry or ministries to pursue.

It is a giant understatement to say that the perceived needs of the community far outweigh the resources of the congregation. The evangelistic task of the congregation is to identify "bad news" in the community. Identifying the "bad news" is never an easy task, but that is what makes an encounter with the "good news" possible. After having heard the ills, the congregation is able to adequately identify and prioritize the community's most critical needs.

It may be helpful to think of a community's needs as "Velcro" that is awaiting the application of a corresponding patch to be complete. The question should be asked: "As the congregation walks the community, what does it notice that causes concern or sleepless nights?"

The answer to this question will be somewhat subjective because of the resources and interests within the congregation. For example, those in the congregation who are in the health profession may be unusually disturbed by the presence of inadequate health care, citizens without health insurance, poor nutritional processes, children who have inadequate access to proper breakfast, and hunger issues that affect the homeless population. Those involved in education may voice concern about the high school dropout rate, poor scores in national testing, lack of resources for inner city schools, the widening technological divide in homes with single parents, the lagging computer literacy rate among minority groups, and the negative attitude portrayed by educators toward groups whose primary language is not English.

To each Velcro (bad news, weakness, deficiency, or threat) there is a corresponding patch (good news). Though the presence of pain may be great, there can be no response until there is a match. Little can be done until the pain matches the call and is seized by it. Action must follow. It is important to seek a consensus about the "Velcro" that generates the most concern and alarm. Engage in as much discussion as needed to make the proper determinations since the congregation inevitably has a stake in the dynamic marriage that must take place between patch and Velcro.

Currently, congregations get involved in at least five levels of service to the larger community:

Basic Charity: The provision of immediate, direct relief to the hungry, homeless, those needing medical care.
Sustained Support: These ministries are designed to help people become self-reliant and capable of securing and holding employment.
Social Service Delivery: This level involves a long-term institutional commitment to providing services such as child and elder care, literacy skills, and job training and placement to local residents and to others who can afford it.
Political Advocacy: This level involves a congregation in representing the needs of the least advantaged in society before government entities that have budget responsibilities,
Comprehensive Community Development: At this level ministries take the lead or serve as partners in the comprehensive revitalization and development of a community, taking care of housing needs, assisting in the birth and growth of microenterprises, strengthening small businesses, sponsoring large retail and franchise entities, acquiring and providing credit and venture capital, and engaging in other enterprises to encourage job creation and self-sufficiency.