A Spiritual Approach to Community Assessment

My Latest Article for Discipleship Ministries

“We lost touch with our neighbors and don’t know how to fix it.” In my work with United Methodist congregations in Western North Carolina, I am often approached by leaders of churches with this common problem. Between population growth and demographic shifts, the people in the pews often don’t know the people living in the immediate area of the church. These church leaders are eager to connect with their neighbors but don’t know where to start.

After fifteen years of church-based community engagement, I have discovered the first step to vibrant, localized ministry is asking Jesus to give us attentiveness toward the people in our neighborhoods, towns, and cities—to learn the passions, dreams, gifts, and longings of our neighbors…