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An Introduction to Christian Community Development

 

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8


Christian community development (CCD) is a ministry God uses to promote the spiritual transformation of people and families in neighborhoods facing great need. It purposes to develop people's potential and productivity in order to move them beyond unnecessary dependency and chronic relief (Ephesians 4:28). CCD is the Church being the redemptive presence of Christ to those in need through concrete deeds of mercy and justice that affirm dignity, cultivate an environment of hope and restore people to productive service in God's Kingdom.

FCF is part of the Christian Community Development Association. CCDA is a national network of evangelical churches and ministries-"reconciled Christians working together mobilizing spiritual and physical resources in and for communities of need through the Church in a community-determined way that is redemptive. " (John M. Perkins, Beyond Charity: The Call To Christianity Community Development, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993.)

While FCF draws its membership primarily from the region of north central Baltimore, we have targeted the Pen Lucy community for CCD. We expect and encourage all members to support the church in this calling even though we recognize that God has not called all members to live in Pen Lucy. We also encourage CCD in other communities in the city and world.

The Means for Christian Community Development
CCD's goal of spiritual transformation of people, families, and neighborhoods is realized through the following means:

  • The Church of reconciled believers works to create an environment of hope and spiritual transformation. Believers from the diverse classes and races of a local region unite in sacrificial fellowship to insure that the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the Body are met, and to extend God's tangible love to the oppressed. The Church works at being a place where everyone, including the poor, feel welcomed and valued. Corporate worship, small group ministry and culturally appropriate outreach are vital for Christian community development.
  • Indigenous leadership development: Community people and leaders are encouraged and developed to bring spiritual, moral and economic renewal to the community. This is fundamentally the work of disciple-making.
  • Re-neighboring communities with committed Christians: Tough-minded, called Christians and their families relocate into the community of need, own the needs of the
  • Community, provide servant leadership in a community-determined way, and model healthy Christian lifestyles.

Characteristics of Effective CCD

  • Dependent prayer and Biblical thinking
  • Long-term commitments
  • Interdependent relationships of trust between racially and socially diverse believers
  • Partnerships with believers within and without the community who will apply their resources of wealth, education, experience, skills, networks and services to the needs of the community
  • People taking responsibility for their lives and community
  • Affirming the redemptive treasures and human potential in the community
  • Development of good relationships with neighbors1
  • Strategic planning of community action programs organized to address key felt needs
  • Avoidance of a driven response to perceived needs
  • The degree of investment made in a person should be directly related to his/her responsiveness (The one who has been faithful with a little will be entrusted with more.)
  • Cultivate a reinvestment mentality in those who receive. (Pass the baton of service. This must be nurtured even in children.)
  • Perseverance. Expect difficulties and trials; this is spiritual warfare.
  • Lots of grace. Laborers need the daily refreshment that fellowship with Jesus brings. He is our lifeline.

Need for Qualified Staffing
By nature, CCD cannot be adequately done with a few hours of volunteer service per week. Intense, generational-cyclical dependency and chronic need cannot be addressed with low level input. Intense need demands intense responses. Therefore, while the church's fellowship ministries are vital to create an atmosphere of affirmation, encouragement, spiritual support, and hope, CCD requires extra investment from mature, skilled believers. In this regard, qualified staff become a necessity in the administration of developmental programs such as a day school, after-school and preschool programs, housing, employment, Christian counseling ministries, etc. At the same time, lay and community volunteers must be incorporated in CCD programs to the highest levels possible. To be effective, CCD demands a partnership between volunteers and staff.

CCD Ministries
Following are some of the CCD ministries FCF is currently engaged in:

 

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