Developing

 an  Effective  Church  Based  Ministry:      

PRELIMINARY  GROUNDWORK  
 

Steps   Questions  for  Consideration   Ideas,  Suggestions,  and  Perspectives  

Listen  to  God   Who  can  join  with  you  in  prayer  as  you   Scripture  that  has  been  significant  for  us:  
remain  before  God  throughout  this   Micah  6:8  –  “He  has  shown  you  what  is  good;  and  what  does  the  Lord  
process?   require  of  you  but  to  do  justice,  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  
  with  your  God?”  
What  might  be  areas  of  anxiety,  fear,   Isaiah  50:4  –  “The  Lord  has  given  me  His  words  of  wisdom,  to  know  the  
control,  arrogance,  and  ambition  for  you   words  that  will  sustain  these  weary  ones.    He  wakens  me  morning  by  
that  will  need  to  be  continually  brought   morning,  wakens  my  ear  to  listen  like  one  being  taught.”  
to  Him?   Matt  25:40  –  ““And  the  King  will  answer  them,  ‘Truly,  I  say  to  you,  as  you  
  did  it  to  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brothers  and  sisters,  you  did  it  to  
How  can  you  seek  to  understand  God’s   me.’”  
vision  of  the  immigrant,  the  poor,  the   See  also:  Col.  1:9-­‐20,  2  Cor.  5:17-­‐19  
alien,  and  oppressed?    
The  foundation  of  cross-­‐cultural  ministry  is  a  humble  willingness  to  listen,  
learn,  and  treat  each  individual  as  Christ  Himself.      
For  us,  this  has  meant  yielding  our  own  motivations,  expectations,  and  
ambitions  and  aligning  ourselves  with  His  heart,  even  if  looks  differently  
than  our  own  vision.      
It  has  meant  confessing  our  lurking  desires  for  perfection  and  control  and  
asking  for  the  humility  to  allow  ourselves  to  be  redirected  by  His  
guidance  through  others.      
It  has  meant  receiving  from  and  honoring  those  we  serve  as  bearers  of  
God’s  image,  sent  by  Him  to  teach  and  transform  us.  
And  it  has  meant  sharing  the  gospel  of  reconciliation  through  the  person  of  
Jesus  and  by  pursuing  justice  in  all  we  do,  seeking  to  create  relationships  
of  equality  and  empowerment,  and  to  reform  broken  systems,  both  
within  our  classes  and  our  broader  world.  

Kim  Howe  -­‐  khowe@rivercity.cc  -­‐  kimrothhowe.blogspot.com  -­‐  ©  2010  

 
 Listen  to  the   Who  makes  up  your  community?   Talk  with  those  who  know  and  are  connected  to  the  community:  
Community   What  are  the  cultural  backgrounds  and   • your  neighbors  
languages  represented?   • councilmen  and  other  government  and  community  leaders  
What  attitudes  exist  towards  Americans?     • shop  owners  and  cashiers  
Towards  each  other?    Towards  English?   • non-­‐profit  and  government  organizations  and  agencies  (i.e.  housing  
Who  would  be  likely  to  attend?    When  are   services,  unemployment,  child  and  family  services)  
they  available?    Can  they  afford  to  pay?   • apartment  managers  
  • school  principals  
What  resources  already  exist  in  your   • HeadStart  and  daycare  overseers  
community?   • librarians  
Can  you  join,  support,  or  learn  from  others   • church  pastors  and  religious  leaders  (including  pastors  and  leaders  of  
who  are  doing  it  well?   non-­‐English  speaking  congregations)  
What  gap  would  your  ministry  be  filling?    
  Ask  as  a  servant  desiring  to  support  them:    
How  does  the  wider  community  feel  about   What  needs  do  you  see  in  this  area?  
this  idea?   How  could  would  serve  the  community  best?      
Any  support?  Opposition?  Competition?   How  could  would  serve  you  best?  
What  partnerships  can  you  create  even   Then  listen  carefully  and  take  their  advice!  
now?    
How  might  you  gain  and  widen  local   Seek  to  create  partnerships  and  collaboration.  
support  for  your  program?  
 
Are  there  like-­‐minded  individuals  within  
your  community,  even  outside  your  
church,  that  could  join  your  planning  
team  and  be  a  voice  for  your  future  
students?  
 
How  might  you  go  about  answering  these  
questions?  
 

Kim  Howe  -­‐  khowe@rivercity.cc  -­‐  kimrothhowe.blogspot.com  -­‐  ©  2010