Communities In Action

For my final article in this series on community I thought I’d give examples of communities in action. What are some ways that your community can actively seek to fulfill the mission of God. Here are some communities from all around the country who have found some ways and you might take encouragement from their example.

Sojourn Community Church, in Louisville, KY officially launched in 2000 as a group of 60 Christians seeking to impact their city. They took up palce in the Highlands district in Louisville, which was increasingly becoming known as a community of artists, musicians,  and young creative types. In an effor to impact their piece of the city they, as a group, opened up the 930 Art Center. This art center hosts both music shows, and art gallery displays in the church building during the week. They have, via this effort made contact with a host of non-Christians who would have otherwise been uninterested in visiting a “church.” On July 24th they are even showcasing their own community. A photography display highlighting the Germantown district, along with a video interview of some of the communities long-term residents. The 930 Art Center is proving to be a way to give back to the community as well as engage those who otherwise would have gone ignored.

Church Under the Bridge is even more radical in it’s abandonment of all the normal “trappings” of a church service. They meet regularly under a bridge to bring church to the homeless community in Waco, TX. Their Nine Core Values demonstrate their heart for the gospel and love of the marginalized. Their website states, “Providing basic needs, such as hot meals, used clothing, and some assistance are inherently a part of that compassion. Giving respect and dignity, verbally and non-verbally, to the mental ill, impoverished, addicted, unemployed, and otherwise struggling people is expected in all programs and church gatherings.” This is a unique group evidencing a unique community in action.

Antioch Church at the Y also took an unconventional route in planting a church. They decided to plant themselves inside their local YMCA in Lebanon, OH. They state their justification very simply: We are a church that meets at a YMCA and yet, it is very important to understand that we do not see ourselves as a group that merely rents a room. We desire to intentionally bless the community of the YMCA and to be a source of hope, joy, and servanthood in this great association. In the New Testament, Christian leaders would begin with the major gathering points of the city in their desire to spread the hope of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. We believe that the Countryside YMCA is the great “gathering point” of Warren County. With nearly 35 thousand people associated with this Y, we believe that this is a wonderfully strategic platform for ministry.

Lastly, I’ll highlight an action project that my own fellowship does here in Portsmouth, Ohio. With the numbers on single parents increasing annually the need to effectively reach out to this community is immensely important. My church, Christ’s Community Church, has for the last seven years held a Single Parents’ Fair. The goal of the fair is two-fold: (1) To provide much needed services to single parents (items like school supplies, oil changes, hair cuts, dental cleanings, medical screenings, and bike repairs), all free of charge to the parents. (2) To make pre-evangelism contacts with people who might not otherwise come to a church. I am looking forward to next weekends events to see first hand the impact that a church that loves Jesus and loves their community can have.

Those are only examples. Your church may do something different, but the important thing is to remember that your community is to act together, not simply meet together. Your meeting is a gathering around the mission of God, which he has given not to individuals but to the community as a whole. So find a project your church can do and work on it together. The Community that Acts Together, Stays Together!