“How can I help my congregation expand its approach to outreach?”

Strengthening the congregation’s outreach means more than adding programs. It requires a willingness to honestly assess the church’s capacity for mission, including the discovery of latent gifts for ministry. Beyond this, the most effective outreach ministries strive to bring charity and justice closer together by deepening the understanding of root causes. In addition, effective projects help to develop stronger ties to the local community and world.

How the Seminar Works

Step One
Discovering Latent Gifts
At the outset, students use a comprehensive assessment tool to develop a picture of their congregation’s capacity for mission. Participants graph their responses onto a wheel. The resulting shape looks something like a spider’s web. It’s a picture of their congregation’s unique style of ministry.

Step Two
Bridging Charity and Justice
Through discussion and multi-media presentations, students are provided examples of “best practices” in mission and outreach, many of which bring charity and justice close together, or which encourage local action on national and international concerns. Participants review a comprehensive survey of 38 categories of outreach action that American congregations currently provide.

Step Three
Thinking Critically about Action
Students discuss a case study of four different outreach groups—a program encouraging solo volunteer opportunities, an economic task force offering workshops, an ecumenical community development cluster, and Adopt-A-Family. Through discussion, students gain insights into how practical thinking can create an outward spiral to local community and world.