Community Leadership Team

Community Leadership Team

As you work on developing ministry leadership within the congregation, also be intentional about cultivating and connecting with leaders in the community to which God has called you to minister. Seeking "insider" input into the ministry planning process will increase the community's ownership of the church's outreach, enhancing your ministry's credibility and long-term sustainability. This demonstration of your respect for others' gifts of leadership and insight will also strengthen the tie between church and community and create avenues for positive evangelistic relationships.

Through networking, field trips, the community study, and their own initiative, church members can identify members of the community of ministry (either residents of a geographical neighborhood, or persons in a particular people group) with leadership qualities. You will discover people who share your church's passion for restoring hope and wholeness in that community, and are willing to work alongside the church. (See "building bridges between church and community".)

Engage these community representatives in the ministry planning process. One option is to invite community members to join the Ministry Vision Team. They may not be members of the church, but if they are committed Christians they can share in your core values and get excited about the same vision. They will add an important voice to your discussions.

Another option is to work with community members to form their own planning team - what we are calling a Community Leadership Team. The two teams can hold joint meetings, co-host the Ministry Celebration Service, share a retreat, participate in local events together, and co-sponsor ministry projects.

Seek the input of this Community Leadership Team into community assessment and program planning. They can show you a different perspective on the ministry context, and dream up ministry possibilities you never would have imagined. Ask community members to bring prayer requests to the church's Prayer Partners. Why is it important to include community participation in the development of your ministry? Amy Sherman writes from her experience:

Identifying ... people who embrace the vision of Christian community development is vital to the long-term stability of the project. This must be a priority before commencing outreach work. If local residents are not visibly involved in the work from the beginning, the ministry will lack credibility in the community. Gathering a committed team of community residents can be a difficult and lengthy process. But it is well worth the effort. Participation by residents in the design and implementation of the outreach assures that the ministry will belong to the community. Pray that God would raise up people eager to partner with your church. And then invest in those people, building strong friendships characterized by openness, willingness to listen and learn, and mutual respect. For the long-term sustainability of the ministry-more importantly, for the community's own long-term prospects for development-indigenous leadership must be developed and empowered. (Restorers of Hope, page 161)

Meet Mrs. Lula Rogers, a community resident who partnered with Amy Sherman's church, in Restorers of Hope, pages 160-161. See Part III, Step 3 in Community Ministry for more on shared ministry with those served. See also chapter 7 in Churches That Make a Difference on building bridges with your community.