#006 – “Get out of the need-meeting business and get into the gift-finding business!” — it’s just one of the challenges that Lean-in’s guest Jay Van Groningen brings to followers of Jesus, who want to make a difference where they live. Through his lens of asset-based community development, Jay helps us explore the role of church in the community … one that is at its best when it embraces a culture of reciprocity, mutual engagement, and dignified inter-dependance.
Jay Van Groningen currently serves as a asset-based community development trainer and coach with the Great Lakes Urban Restoration Network. He brings a wealth of faith-based community development experience, having birthed and supported many church-based Christian community development organizations.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Discussed in this podcast is Jay’s journey to embracing asset-based community development (ABCD). He shares what he has learned: about what it takes for the body of Christ to think and act differently — where coming alongside a local community is neither done out of self-interest, nor is dependency producing.
During the podcast Jay explains:
- What he has discovered about generational poverty and immigrant poverty
- The value of stand-alone non-profits in partnership with a church
- ABCD theory and how it differs from traditional church approach to community engagement
- The 6 gifts that are found in every community
- What community engagement and community mobilization look like
- The 6 community development categories/activities useful for churches wanting to make an impact
- How to put ABCD into practise where you live
- What role in the community can followers of Jesus play when using ABCD
- Thanksgiving and appreciation for how the God of Hope is at work in communities
[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]
Links mentioned in this podcast:
- Great Lakes Urban Restoration Network – connects people in communities and strengthens their efforts to build strong, safe, and healthy neighbourhoods. They are focused on building a movement based on the principles and practices of asset-based community development. Great Lake’s goal is to discover, coach, and support leaders across North America who are already working to create strong communities.
- WorldRenew – World Renew runs disaster relief and development projects to promote health, food security, and peace. The charity is a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church and partners with local churches and Christian aid organizations. It also works closely with both World Renew USA and Canadian Foodgrains Bank to run its global projects. World Renew’s main programs include Disaster Programs, Overseas Development, Education and Justice, and Domestic Development.
- Neighbors Plus – a non-profit organization partnered with Harderwyk Ministries on the north side of Holland, Michigan
- Heights of Hope – a Christian Community Development organization nestled into Holland Heights, Holland, Michigan
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On the next Lean-in Podcast, I’ll be joined by Tom Jackson, CEO of the UK’s Love Your Neighbour Campaign — a nation-wide initiative that is tackling the social consequences of COVID-19 for vulnerable people.