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Neighborhood or Community Focused Congregation

What is the essence of this choice?

Choose to become a congregation that intentionally focuses on the programs, ministries, and activities that meet real needs, of real people, in real time who reside in the neighborhood (within one mile) or larger community (within two to three miles) near the location of the congregation.
 

Who ought to consider this choice?

Congregations with a strong, deep, and abiding commitment to their location to such an extent that if they were not ministering their context they would feel a sense of loss.

Congregations who show a positive ability to reach for worship, learning, fellowship, and ministry people within their neighborhood or community.
 

What are strategic change and transition issues to address?

This choice involves risking losing, over a period of time, the support and participation of people who drive into the congregational location from the suburbs as they:

• Connect with a congregation closer to their residence.
  
  
• Drop out of regular or irregular church attendance.
  
  
• Leave when the worship, programs, ministries, and activities of their congregation no longer speak to their needs.
  
  
• Leave when the needs of their children, and even the urging of their children, motivates them to seek out a congregation with friends who are culturally closer to the culture of their children under 18 years old.

This is similar to the multiple communities congregation except:

• This choice does not intentionally seek to maintain worship, programs, ministries, and activities for people who reside farther away than three miles.
  
  
• Thus, it is appealing to a Christian missionary stance that should be taken by people who live farther away than three miles to lower their personal desires in favor of who comprises the current context around the congregation.
   

What are essential resources to have available to embrace this choice?

Readiness, including a sense of urgency.

Case studies to observe and from which to learn. Discover and dialogue with congregation who have made this choice at least five years ago is essential.

Knowledge of the strategic actions called for by this choice.

A vision incorporated into a future story of the congregation’s potential.

A minimum critical mass of leadership.

Faithful, effective, and innovative actions.

Coaching from a Christian coach.
 

Does this choice fit your congregation? If you think the answer is "yes," click the Next button underneath It fits. If you're not sure, or you think the answer is probably "no," click the Next button underneath Look further to select another option from the full list of choices.

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