The Church as Catalyst for Community Change

Communities are experiencing rapid change through redevelopment plans, gentrification, increased population, heightened demand, and decreased supply. State and city officials spend countless weeks and hours in meetings and planning sessions to assess and gauge ways to remain relevant and progressive while also meeting the increasing challenges that relevancy and progression entail.

One community partner that is often disregarded and overlooked is the Church. In our progressive culture and society, solely para-ministry and non-profit organizations are developed at a rapid speed to address community challenges. Our state and local funding is often allocated exclusively to non-profit organizations apart from religious institutions. It is believed that organizations separate from the church can meet community needs without the restraints of spiritual or religious obligations. The fear of spiritual and religious proselytizing can cause state stakeholders and community leaders to abstain from church partnerships. This is a major misconception and flaw that negates the mission and soul of the church.

The church was established with the intent of serving. Various Scriptures encourage and command Christian Churches to serve the needs of the people. The passage that has guided me as a church leader is the actual passage that Jesus states guided His ministry in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” The aforementioned passage deals with change and liberation for displaced people. Is this not the goal of non-profit organizations and government planning for community vitalization?

The church is not just a potential partner but a primary partner for community change. The church has the mandate and mission to care for the needs of the community apart from financial gain. The church is the only institution that has addressed community needs for centuries without pay. Before we consider tax-exemption as a form of payment for the church, let’s remember there are millions of non-profits receiving the same incentive for half the work.

The goal of this article is to encourage government stakeholders, non-profit organizations, and business leaders to partner with local churches in efforts to identify and address community needs. We have to see the church as more than a religious institution but as the catalyst in addressing employment, homelessness, trafficking, education, and the various needs we’ve identified in our community.

Allow the Church to be the Church!