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 churchand blessed through ongoing

‘Prayer Care Share’

Service is a double win

Service ignites the passion of our people and is the path to spiritual growth and a healthier church

Through selfless service we demonstrate the relevance of the Gospel to our world

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

AlphaBaptist Churches of NZBiblesinactionCaleb Leadership MinistriesCarey Baptist CollegeChallenge WeeklyChild Evangelism FellowshipChristians Against PovertyChurch Army

Evangelism Explosion40 Days of CommunityLaidlaw CollegeNZ Christian NetworkOAC MinistriesPrison FellowshipRhema Broadcasting GroupScripture UnionTandem Ministries

Partners

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?

The content of practical training

What we took away from the SummitWe 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

By:1. establishing an accredited training programme

2. facilitating networking and support

3. providing appropriate ministry resources

In partnership with denominations, CViC is offering to equip community oriented church volunteers (‘Community Links’)

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

Equipped Community Links

Appraisal

MentoringTraining

The Model

The Training

Four Training DaysOne weekend

conference

Course reading

and reflection

Mentoring

& support

over 24

months

Training will revolve around four key aspects of ministry, including:

The theological and spiritual, including how to share the gospel;

Relational skills, such as communicationand building effective volunteer teams

Practical skills such recruitment, delegation and project management

Mutual support and networking for the sharing of inspiration, ideas and resources

Appraisal

Mentoring

Training

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

Equipped Community Links

Appraisal

Mentoring

Training

Two annual appraisals:• To review the progress of the candidate and their ministry

• Conducted by CViC in conjunction with church leadership

Equipped Community Links

Training

Supervision

Appraisal

Memorandum of Understandingwith 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 to church as a result of our engagement

The Cost

$500.00 per annum(payments of $10 per week?)

‘Taste and See’ Training Day- $125