There are all kinds of models and debates about how, why and when we should implement and/or launch new churches. Some people prefer the small group/church model at home/community group, which is certainly a proven way to establish new congregations in certain cultural contexts.
For my part, I am not convinced that this is a winning strategy in social housing neighbourhoods (that does not mean, moreover, that these groups have no pastoral merit in our context). We have the “parachute fall” model, in which a group of outsiders jumps into a community to learn their culture and start building an evangelical community. We have the most favoured ‘mothership’ approach in the UK, where a larger and richer congregation is funding new jobs in one or more areas. are the ones who prefer to revitalize the churches. And this, to name just a few of the many methodologies available.
- In 20schemes.
- We want to work in a denominational way.
- Within a conservative evangelical structure.
- In various contexts.
- So we do not defend one model at the expense of another.
- Our vision is to solve the problem of reaching underserved housing communities in Scotland.
- Revitalizing and/or establishing churches focused on the gospel.
- We don’t necessarily believe that a “one size fits all” serves everyone.
However, we recommend some basic considerations for those considering partnering with us in this type of ministry.
I think we need a group of 10 to 15 committed Christians, living in the area they intend to plant/revitalize, in order to start a new job in a community. Preferably, at least two of these people will work completely. time in the department, if we want to see some kind of acceptance in the community in the early days. We need key members of our team to have other full-time work (for obvious reasons), but we need to have a -Site Presence Time if we want to create some inertia.
Now, this team doesn’t need to be ready, completely ready, from the beginning, but we have to work on this setup in the first five years (yes, you read the term?Configuration? Correctly). This means that here we have to pay attention to the types of leaders we put on the ground, who, in addition to spiritual and character considerations, must be strong leaders, positive thinkers, have a true entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance. , is easily discouraged, will it not be? for this type of work in the early years. Someone who builds a team and a church from scratch will have to look very different from someone who accepts a dying job and must lead a community through their death and rebirth.
Many missionary thoughts? They work with the premise of seeking to establish long-term relationships, but at least in housing communities in need, work?To establish your credentials?arrive very early, here people will want to know who you are and what your intentions are from the beginning, you will want to know what you are doing in your area, especially because people (especially those with formal qualifications and education) dream of moving out and not in the community. So, if you understand senior executives as “safe/legal/agree,” they generally accept the rest of the group, even those they don’t know well. Being visible during the day and having a routine (paper, pub, local coffee, etc. ) will allow you to get a faster synergy.
I keep pushing this button because I know a lot of people who think they can do the work by simply going to the community on a daily basis, they can even make contacts and develop friendships, but it’s very difficult to sell the Christian’s vision. community when we ourselves are unwilling to live this community in their territory. I don’t know of any work in disadvantaged communities or subdivisions where it?daily visit?it worked with some success. Leaders living in the community will have a much easier job of “selling” the vision of those who live outside. Why should people invest in a church when leaders don’t even live in the community?
Whatever approach is taken to establish churches in housing communities, we must have a full-time worker (who does not necessarily need to be the planter’s wife). Without that, I think we have little or no chance of developing a holistic ministry and getting into what was once a very matriarchal system (mothers and grandparents rule in these places!). They can often be the key to the rest of the family.
I have advised people who participate in these communities once a week, in a children’s meeting or in a Bible study, and I find that they are discouraged by lack of fruit and progress. Others, disillusioned by the local church, became one?in the community. But this kind of department is not a solo business.
Similarly, I have spoken to older and/or dying churches in these communities, who think the key to solving their problems in these areas is to hire young people and throw them at wolves. In general, he is a 20-year-old Bible school graduate with his eyes wide open, which will be devoured by anyone in the community over the age of eight!disaster.
Worse, I know churches that have employed men between the age of 50 and 60 to change their churches or to replant or revitalize them. It’s disastrous politics if they can’t quickly form a young team. Even now, at 40, I realize that the future of my ministry will increasingly be to empower young people to do the work. Diversity is critical, but I believe that setting churches in communities in need is a job for young people, because of the time and effort it takes. to establish contacts as soon as possible.
Now, I think this is perhaps more important than any other consideration. In neglected housing communities, people suspiciously see religious gatherings held in places that don’t look like a church. Something that’s not considered a church?Sect, and extremely suspicious. And I don’t exaggerate at this point.
For example, in my first church, which met in an old community room, my father felt very uncomfortable and, at one point, asked me if it really was a “real” church. However, in my second church, which met in a Recovered Church Building, he and my mother-in-law were (relatively) happy, enjoyed the service and felt very relaxed Both communities were evangelical and had virtually the same style of worship, however, it was the building that calmed their fears and prejudices. There’s a lot of talk about the church, being the people? And not the building, and I understand that it was (to a large extent) an answer, but don’t you underestimate it?Rentals? From a new church working in these communities.
In addition, reputation matters a lot in these communities. At Niddrie, for example, we are in a new building that looks more like a community center, which seems to go against everything I’ve written before. However, the people of the community?in it (even if they don’t come to church) because of the hundred years of history associated with it?Mission, which was executed in this building. What’s interesting is that some church planters have come and gone to Niddria for the past decade. Where has your meeting place always been? The local community center. In my opinion, one of the (many) reasons for failure was that the people here don’t associate this place with it?Church, and therefore don’t take the initiative seriously.
Here are some starting points to consider as you think more about ministry in under-neglected housing communities across the country.