Discerning Vulnerable Communities

Principles of evaluating vulnerable communities such that combining church planting and community development will bear lasting fruit.

1. IDENTIFYING Vulnerable Communities in which a Faith Community can Form TWO VIEWS IN TENSION: Pioneer CHURCH-PLANTERS VS. DEVELOPMENT WORKERS Viv Grigg, Professor of Urban Leadership, Director, MA in Transformational Urban Leadership, WCIU [email protected] https://wciu.zoom.us/j/87251012273  

2. NOTHING MATCHES THE THRILL… Churchplanter : … of entering a community, preaching the gospel, casting out demons, discipling groups of men, gathering the first fellowship, worshipping as people get set free, transforming the economics, and the education and the structures of the community Economic Development Worker : …of catalyzing a group discussion on economics, a group process of savings, group decisions about how to utilize resources, liberating people from debt. e.g. $1000

3. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone but if it dies it bears much fruit " (John 12: 24-26).  "You did not choose me but I chose you that you should go and bear much fruit and that your fruit should abide " (John 15:16). If you go among a people serving them in Christ’s name, you will bear fruit. The question is how to structure to conserve it. For two generations we have focussed on Church-planting as a definable goal. good seed and that good seed keeps multiplying. . The Starting Point: Jesus Commission

4. GEN ?? CULTURE SHIFTS Church-planting – a structuralist paradigm for disciplined hardworking lifetime soldiers with goals. Justice-making - partly determined by the marketing of causes by news and the grant-making industry, impassioned, enthusiastic, group-oriented, idealistic creatives in a constantly shifting post-modern patchwork of ideas, life, and relationships. Big issues!!

5. We are victim s of War s

6. Where we are heading? The nature of discernment processes Modifying our Theologies Vulnerability vs. Overview of root words for the poor in Bible Expanding “Church-Planting” Understanding the Relationship between diaconal and apostolic styles Breakout Groups 5. Urban Analysis: Ways to Slice a City: Urban Geography, Urban Ethnicity, Urban Oppression Questions Final Integration

7. 1. The Nature of Discernment (TUL500 Urban Spirituality)

8. The Question on the TABLE? Jesus came to minister to the vulnerable in society, sharing with them the good news of his redemptive kingdom. One challenge for teams is identifying vulnerable communities that are viable for discipling movements or churches .

9. The Ancient Spiritual Practice of Discernment of the City Listen to God's heart for your city Nehemiah prayed, fasted and wept for his city. From this a vision was born. In Jerusalem, Nehemiah inspected the walls of the city and developed the vision into a workable plan - we need to know where the ruins are. Spirituality begins with the healing of the cross at the discontinuities , the fractures, the pain. Apostolic history of discernment is a history of collective discernment – (consensus – 1) Principle: Strategic decisions are best made by the strategists, They need freedom to lead Principle: but ownership requires input in the process. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:3) Success is to “hear and obey” A cursory reading of the prophets shows how “listening” involves: fine application of the mind to the issues of the day along with the direct spiritual revelation from God. Tatalon Entrance

10. 10 Non-Linear Discernment: How do new ministries among the vulnerable usually begin? The Seer, The Prophet, The Strategist, the Visionary To See - Beginning: An encounter at an urban discontinuity, an engagement with pain, an unshakeable call. To Envisage and Engage - Quest: A determined individual leaves all to go engage, and no-one will shake them loose from this quest. To Call - Collectivity: They may not be team players, they may not fit the mold, they may cause a lot of havoc, but love them, bless them, back them and watch God’s hand on them. To Enable - Can a mission provide supportive structures for such seers? Principle: Consensus – 1!! e.g. ??4 years to be allowed to live in a slum You gotta do what you gotta do!!

11. Theological Discernment Process: Transformational Conversations? Theology as Collective Action or Institutionalized Theology (TUL 67O – Urban Research Methods) Theology, spirituality and calling all begin at the discontinuities, the fractures, the pain of city life Matt 9:36-38

12. 2. Urban Theology (TUL500)

13. VULNERABILITY As A Code WOrd " The vulnerable are at risk people who are powerless, voiceless, and excluded. Vulnerability is related to the characteristics and circumstances of a community or system. These characteristics and circumstances make a community or system susceptible to hazard and cause loss. Vulnerable groups may experience a higher risk of poverty and/or social exclusion . Marginalized Oppressed Poor Deficit or Asset Based View??

14. EXPAND SIX Theological CONVersations Poor and poverty in the OT (245x) The lame, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the leper, the demonized… The oppressed, the dispossessed, the imprisoned Biblical foundation of building faith communities within vulnerable communities

15. 1. WHO ARE THE POOR IN the scriptures? See Companion to the Poor , chapter 3 for five Hebrew words concerning different types of poor in the scriptures. Ebyon : needy and dependent (61 times) Dal: the frail poor, the weak (57 time) Rush: the dispossessed (31 times) Chaser:lack of bread and water, to hunger (36) Ani: poverty caused by oppression (80 times) To these we may add the widows, the orphans, the lame, blind, deaf, dumb, lepers, demon-possessed, outcast women…

16. Expand TheologICAL terminology: 2. BUILDING FAITH COMMUNITIES?? (TUL530) Matt 28:18-20: Make disciples : Jesus (speaking to a group) to go preach (and start groups), = Disciple-making movements (DMM) (not bound by geography, not bound by style of group multiplication, relational, action-oriented, diverse) = Building communities of faith, hope and love (primary emphasis on relationships not structure). e.g. Craig, Phnom Phen e.g. Jackie, H.K.

17. Expand TheologICAL terminology: 3.the GOSPEL 4 DISCIPLESHIP (TUL530) Manner of discipling: Luke 4:18, 19: Preach good news of the Kingdom (Jubilee) to the poor Which gospel do you preach? A gospel of salvation or a gospel of the Kingdom? What is the nature of discipleship? Spiritual discipleship, economic discipleship (5000 microfinance groups, 300 churches), justice discipleship (disciple whole nations, means discipling structures), social discipleship

18. Expand TheologICAL terminology: BUILDING FAITH COMMUNITIES Among the VULNERABLE Retraining needed: the above are 4 of the 18 paradigms needed to move CD workers across to church-planting among the vulnerable, and church-planters across to holistic ministry

19. 5. Structure of New Faith Communities Acts: Acts 2:42-44 New spirituality, new social dynamic, new economic relationships in sustained jubilee. Acts 2,4 and 6. Timothy - some local form of leadership of elders, deacons, pastors enough energy to be sustainable Viable Sustainable Reproducable BiFocal . Matt 9

20. 6. Missiology (TUL530) Acts: The apostolic team is not the local elders and deacons, but is mobile, pioneering and networking. Matt 10 lays out the seeds of apostolic methodology: rapidity, finding persons of peace, researching receptivity through proclamation, remain with the receptive…

21. 7. JESUS’ TArgetting where to locate A FAITH COMMUNITY Process Jesus identified his target group – within his own culture!!! 500+ families within a community is needed to have the likelihood of a significant, sustainable group of 200 come into a church Common identity. Where are the boundaries to identity? A potential place for gathering? Matt 10: Person of Peace Matt 10: Receptivity: if the streets are paved move on Responsiveness Acts: Divine Leading, Miracles, Dreams, Follow the Spirit… (Entering Tatalon )

22. 8.Jesus’ Theology of Entrance Planning 1. Stop at a well, dismiss your team, talk to a woman, she converts two villages. 2. Get a visit from a Politician in the middle of the night, confuse him. 3. Have a friend die, wait till he smells, raise him from the dead, eat a thanksgiving meal at his house, allow a former prostitute to anoint you with expensive perfume in the middle of the banquet. In our time: 4. Stand in front of bulldozers to stop them bulldozing down the squatter’s homes. Sit on the trucks as they take their plywood shacks, help them rebuild out in the boondocks. Start worship. Vs. MANAGERIAL PROPOSAL Need, Goal, Resources Needed, Project steps, Time Frames, Leadership Physical location? Current access points,

23. 3. Understanding Diaconal and Apostolic Roles (TUL500)

24. Question and Answer: Submit your questions. The webinar coordinator will cluster them into similarities and select several for discussion .

25. 6. WHAT is the 20 th C EQUIVALENCY of a 1 st C DEACON? What is the relationship of Deacons to Apostles? Independent HIGHLY FUNDED NGO’s or supportive ROLE to faith community builders?

26. Deacons = Community Development Workers, Economic Devt Workers, Social Workers, Robin Hoods Administration of Resources 01 Structuring Wealth Transfer 02 Maximizing Impact on Alleviating Poverty 03 Program centered 04 Primary Biblical Theme Primary Role Primary Activity Impact Thinking Center Intuitive Movement Leadership 01 Get a modern PowerPoint Presentation Building Communities of Faith, Hope and Love 02 Maximizing Spiritual Birth, liberation from bondages, character formation 03 People centered 04 Apostles, Evangelists = Mobile Catalysts of Communities of Faith Stewardship & Redistribution 00 Seeding Movements 00 TUL560 Organizational Leadership TUL620 Movement Leadership CHECKLIST

27. Pioneers of Faith Communities Primacy of Proclamation 05 Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist 06 Spirit manifesting the Kingdom reign in people and a community of faith 07 Urgent response today, no funding in 3 years Entrance Point Gifts Mix Kingdom Activity Sustainabiity Identifying Felt Needs 05 Get a modern PowerPoint Presentation Administrator, Mercy, Wisdom 06 Spirit using workers to reflect Kingdom principles into society 07 Permanent Community of Faith generating expanding resources 08 Deacons = Community Development Workers 08 TUL535 Community Transformation TUL530 Building Faith Communities

28. Elements of RESOLUTION? SOme of the 18 Paradigm shifts RELATIONSHIP OF DEACONS AND APOSTLES Visionary Pioneers Administrators of Programs Deacons Serve/Release the Apostles ABCD Community development Assets of People, Culture, Identity, Physical Location RESEARCH Go preaching, determine entrance, receptivity, and responsiveness PAR: Participant-Action Research Father a movement Spiritual discipleship Economic discipleship, Social discipleship As the discipling spreads the need for programs expands After character is proven, appoint deacons (1-3 year progression) JESUS’ APPROACH Incarnation Matt 10: Go preaching Deliverance, Healing Find the Person of Peace No bags of Gold

29. Direct Aid in a program puts a barrier between donor and people. Walking with people opens hearts. e.g. building housing in Sapang Palay Appropriate Levels of People building: BUILD your people first Wait a year!! The Community Devt Principle of “building from within” begins with releasing people from Spirit bondage and sin bondage. Dependable leadership requires character formation, this phase of early discipling cannot be ignored. 1. Conversion, Deliverance 2. Character formation, 3. Small Leadership Experiences 4. Community respect 5. Community leadership View Cash Flows in an urban poor church video to see the impact of financial flows on the limits of financial constraints on the for community capacity. Evangelism in the Midst of Community Development There are models of Comm Devt , where the gospel works hand in hand with the developmental process. One is CHE. Community Health Evangelism Appropriate Timing Issues The impact of $25,000 project on a church where a pastor earns $100 a month can be devastating www.vimeo.com / vivgrigg But there are many complexities Appropriate Levels of Funding

30. Break out Groups Team Process: – Choose the area of ministry of someone with a passion for a particular group in their city. If no one, then choose the smallest person in the group. Have her/him describe their team. If she/he were to submit a 2-page proposal to their team about reaching a marginalized group in the city. What would be essential in it? How would the team get ownership of the process, confidence that it would succeed? What financials need to be considered? What personnell levels? Would Participatory-Action Research or Anthropological research best inform this process?

31. http://www.free-powerpoint-templates-design.com 4. Ways to Slice a City (TUL 540 Urban Realities) Viv Grigg, 2028

32. 4a Urban Geography

33. 33 Space: Urban Geography: Where is the City Moving? “If the streets are paved move on”. Roger Greenway Identifying a Community in Bangkok In three weeks of visiting Bangkok, I discovered the research on the 98 churches. There were three churches in the slums. There were three ministries among sex workers There were two ministries to the blind I did not find The culture was unresponsive. But there was a revival movement going on among university students who were responsive. By going from one ministry to the next, I identified other social service ministries to the slums. I went to the national housing authority and met a researcher, leaving with the most amazing research on 1024 slums of Bangkok (see on the left.

34. 5/1/24 34 Phase 2. Decision-making by the team 1. Which of these 3 types of community is likely to enable a sustained community of faith? 2. A faith community: How many homes are sufficient so you can evangelize to the extent of enough conversion for a gathered congregation?? 500? 5% responsive homes 25 x 6 people. = 150. 3. Location: Which can be excluded as too close to a temple? Which are older 4 th , 5 th gen slums - excluded? Which are likely a hub for other slums? If we do several communities, are they all within an hours travel? 4. Responsive Ethnicity: Which are from Northern Thai communities? Finding the tuk-tuk parking lots.

35. 4b Peoples of the City: Ethnicity Size? Responsiveness? Clustering? Existing Ministries

36. Spatial City U.S. Racial Segregation Detroit Long Beach New York Washington, D.C. Figure 11.a,b,c,d Segregation – The combined result of congregation & discrimination, the spatial separation of specific subgroups within a wider population. Development of American Cities reflect historical trend of racial segregation

37. 37 Response to Marginality, Oppression, Liberation - he came to set the Captive Free 4c Prisoners – African American Students Deaf – Bangkok Dispossessed: Land Justice – can a church survive if the people don’t get the land? IDP’s Refugees – Education leading to a DMM Housing: African American Churches approach Facing oppression requires skills in community organizing Community organizing does not go well with initial church-planting. It requires a developed church with leadership and capacities (TUL 655 Advocacy for Land Justice)

38. Where would you best plant a church? Where would you best enable community development? Where would you best become an advocate? What would the community look like impacted by the Kingdom ? 38 4c Matching Communities Based on Team Giftings