Communities should be blessed by the churches that exist there.
We believe that our Triune God is passionately engaged in mission to the world. So instead of asking, "What do we have to do to stir up our passion and increase our engagement in mission?", we ask "What is hindering us from joining the mission in which the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are already engaged?" (taken from Stephen Seamonds, "Ministry In the Image of God")
Engaging with your surrounding community — becoming a great neighbour — is no simple task. It requires years of building trust, getting to know your neighbourhood, assessing your community's unique assets and needs and most importantly, seeing where God is at work already!
It can be overwhelming at first, but you don't need to go it alone.
Listed below are a few ways you can get started.
"A good neighbour takes care of their own property and looks out for the neighbours immediately around them.
A great neighbour is someone who cares for the condition of the entire community. Great neighbours are those who come together and have the shared goal to make their community a better place to live, for all."
- Jay VanGroningen, Communities First
RESOURCES
Key Principles
Let this valuable resource act as a guide as your church connects with its unique community.
Recommended Resources
We’ve compiled a list of helpful books and websites to help get you started.
"Welcome to the Neighbourhood" Webinar Series
Churches want to connect and engage with their communities - but how do we get involved in our communities in healthy ways?
Watch this series of 7 webinars with host Jodi Koeman from World Renew US. She's invited a wonderful variety of guests who will help churches explore how they can be better neighbours!
Introduction to Community Partnerships
A brand new resource to help your church begin to get to know your local neighbourhood and the people and organizations in it.
Consider a Community Opportunity Scan
A church that is ready to see its relationship with its neighbours in a new way will find that a Community Opportunity Scan (COS) opens doors to exciting possibilities.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Consider a Community Opportunity Scan!
Get to know your local community; its assets, gifts, abilities and where gaps may exist.
Our NewGround Program can help you get started.
Contact Our Staff
Our experienced Field Staff can answer your questions, provide helpful resources, or even help you decide if your church is ready to do a Community Opportunity Scan.
