It’s easy to get sidetracked.
Sometimes churches get so involved with meeting the needs of the congregation that it’s tough to find the time to assess and meet the needs of the community.
If it’s been some time since you’ve done a quality assessment, I urge you to carve out some time soon to do this.
You don’t have to commission a study. Keep it simple.
Schedule some conversations with people who can help you identify trends.
Here are a few ways to gather information and gauge the needs of your neighbors:
- Walk the neighborhood and knock on your neighbors’ doors. Ask them how they’re doing, what they think of the neighborhood, and if they have any needs the church can help them meet.
- Schedule a time to meet with some teachers or a school administrator. Maybe these people go to your church. Find out how the school year is going. Are they noticing any trends this year? Are kids in need of tutors? Are they eating? Do they have the needed school supplies?
- Meet with a realtor or two. They should have the “inside scoop” on the neighborhoods. Maybe there are a lot of foreclosures because the factory closed and people have lost jobs. Maybe people are moving away from the area because crime has increased. Maybe there’s a home nearby that has fallen in disrepair because the owner is sick and a shut-in.
- Do you have a police officer in your congregation? Meet with that person to discuss some of the trends in the community. Maybe he or she knows of people in the immediate area who need help.
- Check with area doctors. What are they seeing? Is there a way the church can help?
I’d imagine that most congregations can find these people in their pews each week. Maybe it’s time to meet with them and learn what’s needed. Then, take the time to assemble your teams and meet those needs.
How does your church regularly assess the needs of your community? Please share your ideas in the comments section below.
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Hands and Feet Marketing can help you develop church ministry and church outreach strategies. We can also help you assess your team.