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Overview
The overall principle for developing strong community relationship is to share life together as you develop shared solutions. From my interview with Kurt Owen, Bridge Builders’ Executive Director, they have 7 Principles. Leaders need to earn the trust of the residents in the neighborhood by following these principles.
Community Relationship – 7 Principles
#1. Presence. You must live in the community where you hope to serve. By living in the community, it gives you a right to work with neighbors to set priorities and make changes. Urban communities have had too many “saviors” from outside who come in and tell them what should happen. Invite and inspire other to come live in the community too.
#2. Engagement. You need to walk down the block and get to know your neighbors and engage in helpful ways. Ideas shared were pick up trash, see a dilapidated property and ask if volunteers could come and paint their garage for them. People will stop by to see what is going on when a group is working on a project. This builds relationships.
#3. Listen. Listen to the neighbors on what is important to them. What are their concerns, ideas, needs, etc. Facilitate a conversation around each area of concern.
#4. Neighborhood Asset Utilization. Identify the skills and assets that already exist that could help address the priorities of the local residents. An example shared is if people work for the city, are a contractor, or have valuable connections.
#5. Collaboration. Never create a competing program, but rather help other organizations to do their work better. This creates a strong network of support throughout the area.
#6. Innovate. Many problems have existed for decades without having significant positive change. Don’t be shy about attacking a problem in an entirely different way that has never been done before. Be creative to try new approaches.
#7. Inspire. Inspire local residents to work together, to try new things, and to be bold for positive change. Believe in the power of a group of people trying to do the right thing for the right reason. The best relationships are when the community is assisting in the work.
Leader’s Wisdom
Community relationships depend on the organization’s leadership and interaction with participants.
Ministry Example: Bridge Builders
Most urban neighborhoods have been fragmented by the absence of generational wealth, crime, the failure of local businesses, and unhealthy governance. Top-down solutions have not been making a significant impact. Asset-based development encourages us to invest directly in the lives of the people on the block working from the inside out. An impactful organization Bridge Builders seeks to improve the economic, cultural, physical, and spiritual aspects of a neighborhood.
Bridge Builders has a multi-faceted approach. They focus on improved housing conditions by targeting blight properties for rehabilitation and sites for new construction assistance. Encourage neighborhood businesses to revive or establish community-run businesses and increase local employment for block residents. Full-time neighbors are individuals who move on the block specifically to serve the needs of the residents. There exists a substantial workforce population among residents in the target area, including the working poor.
Diverse partnerships are sought out to enhance and accelerate the work other organizations are already doing in the target areas. Create a lighthouse property from the worst house on the block to act as a Lighthouse on the block and have it occupied by a full-time neighbor dedicated to serving the residents. Create a Hub House that acts as a resource center, helps stabilize the neighborhood, advocates for the residents and manages block projects.
Resources
Websites
- Christian Community Development Association – For over 30 years they have shared the journey of seeing Christians fully engaged in the process of transformation in their communities. Whether through community gatherings, regional events or online, CCDA works to creatively provide spaces for practitioners and partners to learn and network with like-minded leaders. www.ccda.org
- Asset Based Community Development – The Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) is at the center of a large and growing movement that considers local assets as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development. Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future. https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/Pages/default.aspx
- Bridge Builders uses a holistic approach. We focus on four key goals for transformation: physical, economic, cultural, and spiritual. We organize sustained commitments from local governments, the private sector, foundations, and community-based organizations to help us accomplish these goals. https://bridgebuildersmke.org/
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has an article on “Civic Engagement and Public Policy.” https://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/resources-tools/principles-practices-for-nonprofit-excellence/civic-engagement-and-public-policy
- Guide to a Congregation Listening Process by Joy Skjegstad & Heidi Unruh. https://www.judsonpress.com/Products/612E/guide-to-a-congregational-listening-process-pdf.aspx
Books
- 7 Creative Models for Community Ministry by Joy Skjegstad
- Real Connections: Ministries to Strengthen Church and Community Relationships by Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh. Do you hunger for richer relationships in the body of Christ? Real Connections encourages church members and leaders to invest in deeper, more diverse relationships in a variety of contexts: within the congregation; with other churches; with community partners and residents; with people who are isolated or struggling; and across differences. From long experience as ministry coaches and trainers, Joy and Heidi offer practical suggestions for building meaningful, caring connections that address the loneliness and divisions in our society, and even within churches. Listening well, focusing on assets, and valuing people’s stories can be transformative.
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