Oftentimes, churches choose to get involved in community outreach ministries simply by observing the landscape and asking a couple of questions: “who is doing great ministry in the community,” and “can we join them?”
The questions we begin with ultimately determine where we go.
So, where do we begin? What questions and issues should be addressed? How do churches determine where, who, and how to reach out? More importantly, why do we serve certain population groups, geographies, or with specific local mission partners or community organizations but not with others?
Ultimately, the question that underlies and guides all other questions and issues is this one: “what is God calling us to do in our community, so that He will receive more glory?” Given our location, our leadership, our body, and the concerns of the community around us, how can we best make an eternal impact for God’s Kingdom in our local area? How can we make the name of Jesus more known?
Here is a process that I have followed in choosing community outreach ministries at each church that I have served:
Prayer - The first thing you must do when thinking about what the Lord would have you do in community outreach is pray. You must wait on Him! It can be very easy to rush into our own plans and ask God to bless them. It is very easy to develop great strategies and initiatives that are totally void of God’s Spirit. Spend time in prayer!
Geography Considerations - you can’t do everything in community outreach ministry; and you cannot serve everywhere in community outreach ministry. Until you determine where you will serve as a church body, it is difficult to say “yes” or “no” to opportunities that exist or opportunities that folks in the body bring your way.
Pastor / Leadership Discussions – if you are not the senior leader at your church, spend time talking with the senior pastor, as well as those in leadership above you about: their vision for community outreach in the church’s community, the current strengths and weaknesses (as they see it) of community outreach at the church, their history (if any) of community outreach ministry, cultural considerations of those who attend their campus, and so on.
Online Research – research community demographics, specifically in the areas of population trends, census data, lifestyles, faith involvement, household concerns, and so on.
Survey Community Stakeholders – do a survey that is designed to assess community needs. Such a survey will help dig up both needs as well as potential community outreach ministry opportunities.
Assess the gifts, skills, and other resources within your church to meet potential needs – how has God “wired” your church? What skillsets, passion areas, church programming, facilities, and so forth exist among the body and could be utilized to meet unmet community needs?
Choose Strategic Impact Areas – go beyond choosing an organization with which to serve. Instead, identify key unmet needs in your community and spend time choosing one or two areas to pursue.
Determine Community Outreach Partnership Criteria – choose what is important to you in community partnerships, and choose partners that are aligned to your priorities. For example, are opportunities for your folks to serve important to you? If so, you will want to choose partnerships with ample serving opportunities. Is the potential partner aligned doctrinally? Will they allow you to share the gospel?
What about you? What other things have you done to choose a community outreach ministry?
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