Day 30 : Lean in and Learn | Place-Based Shalom

"God, people, and place are inseparably intertwined in the Hebrew Bible. Perhaps more than by any other means, biblical authors used notions of place to express and explore their relationship to God and neighbor." – Cory Crawford

Many churches around the world and throughout history have impacted their neighborhoods and the mile radius around their place of worship, because of intentionality, authentic listening, and response. Most of these stories never make it into a book or a news article. But these stories are written on the hearts and lives of the individuals, families, and generations who experienced the gospel made tangible in holistic missional engagement.

The biblical challenge to love our neighbors can be as simple as that, loving our neighbors. Dr. Seth Kaplan is a leading expert on fragile states, political transitions, conflict prevention, state-building, governance, and human rights. When asked to consider our own North American context, he responded with his recommendation of what is needed to bring place-based shalom to a community:

“We may better achieve change on a national level by not focusing on it at all. Indeed, renewal is only possible by shifting our energy to what Americans already do quite well — caring about and investing in the people and places closest to home. Scale is essential to enhancing social habitats, but it must be human scale.”

“You will be called....Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Isaiah 58:12

Yes, it is important to consider issues that focus on one vulnerable demographic such as those experiencing homelessness, those subject to being exploited and even trafficked, and refugees, among others. However, we cannot forget that scripture reminds us that incarnational work within the fabric of a place-based local community is always the call of the church. As Anglicans, we hold this sacramental world view that place matters, and therefore fragile neighborhoods are a place of invitation.

Studies of Canadian urban neighborhoods have shown that individuals in lower-income families, single parents, recent immigrants, and visible minorities value having access to grocery stores, public transportation, and green spaces.* It is notable how essential those three factors are to one's quality of life. How might churches partnering with non-profits and municipal leaders work towards increasing such access?

In Mexico there is often not the ability to rely on large funders or government help. Parishes have the ability to focus on hyperlocal connections in their neighborhoods to help develop community-driven solutions to their needs which leads to greater sustainability in the long run.

* Source: Statistics Canada which has collected data for 100 years from individuals, Government agencies, and private sector organizations

“Community transformation is about the quality of neighbors, not the quality of programs.”

“It is beginning to dawn on the world of compassion that the root causes of poverty can be addressed effectively only through development, not through one-way giving.”

Robert Lupton
Urban ministry leader and author of Theirs is the Kingdom and Toxic Charity

Those involved in Christian Community Development, which by definition is neighborhood based, value an ABCD approach: "Asset Based Community Development." ABCD is built on four foundations *

The focus is on the neighborhood's assets and strengths rather than problems and needs.
Individual and community assets, skills and passions are identified and mobilized.
The response is community driven – ‘building communities from the inside out’
The entire process is relationship driven.

Through this approach there is such respect and honor of the image of God reflected in those in the community. There is an awareness and humility that assumes that God has been previously active in the neighborhood, and churches can come alongside to do the Holy Spirit detective work towards effective transformation that is mutual and collaborative. A posture of learning is critical. Creative partnerships with multiple --and, at times, unexpected-- stakeholders generates substantial change. Often this change is slower, but more likely lasting.

Many Anglicans are doing this work. Many of you are doing this work. Thank you. May many more step into this work.

* John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

– Galatians 6:2

The Embedded Church Podcast is highly recommended as a source of inspiration and education. Listen and learn from those who are doing this kind of place-based contending for shalom.