Tapping into people’s natural strengths produces results for God’s Kingdom.

Integrated Mission is a biblical approach to ministry that focuses on community participation. Instead of relying on “hand-outs” and imposed solutions that create dependence, Integrated Mission taps into the strengths and assets of people in the neighbourhood. It helps them solve their own concerns, achieve their own aspirations and build a sense of community. It’s an approach that was used by Jesus himself.
Over the years, sets of skills and tools have been developed for this approach to ministry. For some of us, it takes time to catch on to the concepts involved, not because they are difficult, but rather because this has not been our typical way of relating to our neighbours and building God’s Kingdom. The process may take longer than traditional service delivery, but it is far more effective and enduring. Here are a few tools that we can use to help us make the necessary shift to Integrated Mission:

Listening: If we are going to participate with people in our neighbourhoods, we need to hear them. We all know how to listen, right? Well, sometimes. Very often we are focused on what we want to say or what we think others are saying. Sometimes we simply don’t take the time to listen beyond the opening greeting. To listen deeply, beyond the first words, beyond the opening request, to learn of deeper aspirations and dreams of people in the community takes time and energy. It can be draining to be present with others as they share and find understanding. But these days, with so many messages coming our way, it is rare to be heard and understood. It is a great gift to give someone the time to be heard. It is the beginning of giving hope, and opens the door to acceptance and change. To listen carefully is not costly to our budget, but it is a costly personal commitment.

Strategic Questions: The listening skills we develop and offer are critical. However, to encourage people in our neighbourhoods to share and explore their issues on a deeper level, insightful questioning is needed. To ask a question based on what you have just heard validates your listening and encourages others to express themselves more fully. This interaction can develop into a trusting relationship that, over time, brings deeper understanding. Hopes and dreams are shared. Obstacles and hindrances to achieving potential are revealed. Deeper issues in the family and the neighbourhood are disclosed. This ongoing conversation may take a long time, but our care is expressed in our perseverance, and in our continuing efforts to come back, listen and explore with strategic questions. We cannot look for fast answers or simple solutions.

Asset Mapping: Many of our programs prepare “needs assessments” that provide a rationale for what we offer. If we are to transition to ministry based on people’s gifts and strengths, we must also discover where these assets are in the community. This exercise is a practical way to build relationships, confidence and opportunity. The “asset map” is best developed by interested community members as they walk around the neighbourhood and identify the strengths that they see. The map might include formal assets such as parks, libraries or schools; citizens’ associations such as churches, co-ops or service clubs; and often “hidden” gifts of individuals such as the elderly, youth, labelled people, artists or natural leaders. Through this interaction, we discover strengths to build on and achievements to be celebrated. Together, we can begin the work of discovering solutions that will maximize people’s potential and restore their hope.

Community Conversations: Solutions and capacity in humans and communities are not substantially built except through participation. People with dreams to achieve need to be empowered for action and results. A community conversation (or series of conversations), perhaps over a simple meal or barbecue, can help explore issues, identify resources and clarify the direction that people wish to take collectively. Skilled facilitators can help ensure all voices are heard, and not just the most vocal. They also help to draw out consensus, establish an action plan and create teams of people with similar concerns. These meetings can be quite chaotic as divergent opinions and directions are expressed. Perseverance is necessary to see the process through and come to a mutual understanding and agreement on action.

It may be useful to remind ourselves that in the use of all these tools, the Spirit of God is at work. Look for it. His grace in the lives of all people-not just those within the church-is expressed in the listening, questioning, identifying of gifts and conversations that produce results. Matters of faith and acceptance are key to positive activity leading to change and transformation.

by Lt-Colonel Ray Moulton
Editor-in-Chief

Reprinted from Salvationist, July 2007