Getting Started in Transforming a Place
     

There's an Improved Way to Start Transforming a Place  
 
It is critical that we start with what the people in the starting group (which can be a church or non-profit) feel comfortable in doing and are willing to do. They are the ones that are going to be entering the neighborhood and beginning to learn about the community. This is before we have done any asset surveys in the neighborhood to find out the neighborhood people's skills, knowledge and passions are and what they want to see different in their place. That means starting with very small pieces of their time, with things that are easy to do and requiring no continuing commitment.
 
In many churches, their members never get outside of the church's four walls to reach out to nearby neighborhood people. The key is to get everyone in the game at the level they are willing to participate. This means we should:
  • Provide regular, easy-entry opportunities that give people the chance to change the world. What if everyone in your church at year-end had a story to tell how he or she changed the world? Awesome!
  • Combine opportunity with inclination. Giving motivating sermons is one thing but people need the immediate opportunity to become involved, to put what they heard into action now.
  • Make it personal by encouraging people to invite their friends to join them in this specific, one time opportunity. Use the words "Do this with me." There are three I's necessary to attracting and asking volunteers
    • Identify specific people who would do a great job in this activity.
    • Inform them personally what they can be doing, in specific terms, if they join you.
    • Invest by giving people a chance to try out something with no strings attached before they make any greater commitment.
  • Begin with the willing. It is important to realize that not everyone is willing. Work with the early enthusiasts who are willing to get involved. Let them then tell their stories and others will come along.
This means we must give people the opportunity to participate in things in which they feel comfortable.  

One way to do that is to look at people fitting into three different groups.
  • Doing for Others: Some feel comfortable doing things for people.
  • Coaching and Empowering: Others feel comfortable developing relationships and helping people to change their lives in areas that the person wants to change.
  • Multiplying Ministry: Others desire those changed people to become multipliers by equipping them to equip others who equip others who equip others, which spreads what is happening exponentially. (II Tim 2:2)

Another way is by accessing what type of person they are:

  • A Belong Person: You love to get people together for a BBQ or a party. You like being on the front porch with neighbors. You enjoy helping people find a place where they can relax and be themselves.
  • A Grow Person: You love to help people go deeper in their faith and relationship with Christ. Opportunities like a Bible study or discussing spiritual growth are what get you energized.
  • A Serve Person: You love to mobilize people to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You'd rather get sweaty mowing someone else's lawn than get cozy in a small group discussion. You are looking for ways to help and get others to help.
Albania
Challenge:
 
Both ways are similar but slightly different. In the past, our main way of encouraging people to get involved in transforming a place was for them to get to know their neighbors by walking around and talking to them as they saw them, which is scary for many people. 

Also we have suggested that a person hold a spontaneous barbecue in their driveway or yard. Both of those relate to people who are belonging types of people or people who are very relational, or an empowering person, which is a similar type. That leaves out the other way of getting people involved.
 
We have been very aggressive in Neighborhood Transformation in encouraging groups to become involved in their local elementary school. This is a way to get different people to walk their own 2-3 blocks together, via the school where they can begin to minister on a broader neighborhood scale. But this is further along in the steps for a Neighborhood Transformation.   
 
We need to begin Transforming a Place after they have chosen the neighborhood they will minister in, they begin to bless their Elementary School. This is done by asking by the Principal how can they bless the school and then do whatever they are asked to do. This allows people who love to serve, or do things for others, to participate. It is felt that working in a school is safer than walking in a neighborhood. It requires no commitment on the part of the person unless they want to get involved at a deeper level, such as developing relationships with kids, which many see as easier than developing relationships with adults.
 
We highly recommend that you find out where the different people are who will start Neighborhood Transformation and then give them a variety of multiple, regular opportunities with different levels to participate in where they are. This means opportunities for those who develop relationships by walking around and other opportunities for people who do things by blessing the school.

GIVE IT A TRY

Collaborative for Neighborhood Transformation | neighborhoodtransformation.net
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