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Developing community-facing churches that will transform their neighbourhood through good news and good deeds. The journey that brought us here…. Every neighbourhood across New Zealand befriended by a local church and blessed through ongoing ‘Prayer Care Share’. Service is a double win.
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Developing community-facing churches that will transform their neighbourhood through good news and good deeds
Every neighbourhoodacross New Zealand befriended by a local churchand blessed through ongoing ‘Prayer Care Share’
Service is a double win Through selfless service we demonstrate the relevance of the Gospel to our world Service ignites the passion of our people and is the path to spiritual growth and a healthier church
Over 5 years… We have told the stories of ordinary churches doing extraordinary things in their community We have showcased the best practices, tools and resources of successful practitioners and agencies www.loveyourneighbour.org.nz
Partners Alpha Baptist Churches of NZ Biblesinaction Caleb Leadership Ministries Carey Baptist College Challenge Weekly Child Evangelism Fellowship Christians Against Poverty Church Army Evangelism Explosion 40 Days of Community Laidlaw College NZ Christian Network OAC Ministries Prison Fellowship Rhema Broadcasting Group Scripture Union Tandem Ministries
The problem Some churches, full of people of goodwill who wish to engage with their community, never do Other churches seem to be doing so well, and then suddenly stop
We have found the missing link! We have discovered the vital importance of a ‘cheerleader’ for community involvement within the church Addressing this key need is therefore also mission-critical to Love Your Neighbour
19-21 July 2010 16 Practitioners from around the country and across a broad denominational spectrum The big idea – to gain their wisdom on the way forward for us in providing/strengthening this vital ‘link’
What they told us Most feel isolated and misunderstood within their church context The number one obstacle identified by practitioners at the summit was church leadership Many feel the burden of being solely responsible for all that their church does in the community
A philosophy of community engagement: where are the best opportunities?
What we took away from the Summit We are looking for people who can mobilise others, not just do it all themselves This needs to be something the whole church buys into – allocation of resources and ‘airtime’ We need to focus on building community relationships that can be sustained by ordinary people, not just ‘needs specialists’ Churches needs a plan for progressing from good deeds to good news
Desires to help train church-based Community Links to release churches into community engagement in service of the gospel Could unleash thousands of volunteers presently inactive in churches
In partnership with denominations, CViC is offering to equip community oriented church volunteers (‘Community Links’) By: establishing an accredited training programme facilitating networking and support providing appropriate ministry resources
Undergirding principles • In partnership with denominations • A dual-track approach – both the church and trainee are on a journey • Training through an action-reflection process
Training Training will revolve around four key aspects of ministry, including: The theological and spiritual, including how to share the gospel; Relational skills, such as communication and building effective volunteer teams Practical skills such recruitment, delegation and project management Mutual support and networking for the sharing of inspiration, ideas and resources • Mentoring • Appraisal
Supervision • Mentors: • Should be external to the church • Be suitably experienced to support and advise within the context of community engagement • CViC will assist in sourcing mentors – denominations can assist here also • Signed agreements will outline key areas of relationship
Two annual appraisals: • To review the progress of the candidate and their ministry • Conducted by CViC in conjunction with church leadership Appraisal
Memorandum of Understanding with participating churches • Can be negotiated in every denominational context • Agreed role of Community Link • Support of their Community Link • Agreed church ‘milestones’ e.g. a church course like • ‘Outflow’ and a church-wide service project • An intentional plan for integrating those that come tochurch as a result of our engagement
$500.00 per annum (payments of $10 per week?) ‘Taste and See’ Training Day- $125 The Cost