Methodology to aid a planter in understanding their context

By Jeff Christopherson

Gaining an accurate understanding of context is critical to successfully plant a new church. Barry Whitworth has led in establishing over thirty Multiplying Church Centers in Pennsylvania and developed a simple methodology to assist a planter in understanding their context. Only when you are personally engaged with a community can you truly determine how best to serve it.

1. Social
Social structures of a community have vital information to accurately understand how relationships are understood by the culture.

Observation

  • What kind of interaction is happening between different generations, ethnic groups, etc.?
  • What groups are slipping between the cracks?
  • How do people connect?
  • Are they open to interaction with outsiders?
  • Who is influential in: business, financial, government, health and civic organizations?

Conversation

  • Talk with gatekeepers. Ask them about the health of community relationships, as well what is ‘going well’ or could be ‘improved.’
  • Ask about social problems.
  • Ask about who lives in the community.
  • Determine common lifestyles and worldviews.
  • Is there new construction in the community? Is it well received?

Implementation

  • Of the gatekeepers, I found these people _____ to be open to help us in building strategic relationships with the community.
  • To reach a particular group of people, I would recommend building a relationship with_____.
  • To become socially accepted into the community I believe that a new person would be wise to _____, and to avoid _____.

2. Economic
People always invest their time and money in what they deem as important. Therefore, examining the economic implications of the context is vital to understanding the community.

Observation

  • What evidence of wealth and prosperity do you see?
  • Is the community growing, stable, slowly declining or rapidly dying?
  • Who determines public agendas?
  • What are noteworthy strengths or weaknesses in public schools, housing, police services, healthcare and recreation?
  • Is assistance for the needy provided?
  • Do people have boats, ATV’s, pools, or other noticeable distinguishers?

Conversation

  • Ask questions like, “If your community had extra money how would you like to see it invested?”
  • What does an average workweek look like?
  • What is the average commute?
  • Ask school personnel, “How actively do students’ parents participate?”
  • What are popular entertainment venues?

Implementation

  • Because the people of the area value _____, a way to build relationships would be _____.
  • A church planter who enjoys these activities ______ would be an asset to help build relational bridges.
  • Because of the strength and stability (or instability and decline) of the economy I would recommend that we _____, and that we would never ______.

3. Physical
When trying to determine the location of a new church, it’s important to notice any geographic boundaries. What does the landscape tell you about the place and people?

Observation

  • What are some public areas? Are they well kept? Who are they for?
  • Are there areas avoided by some residents?
  • Does a railroad track, river or mountain separate communities?
  • Where are schools located?

Conversation

  • Take public transportation, and ask why others use it.
  • Ask people if they know of a place to eat in an area you know has restaurants and see if they are familiar with the area.
  • Ask, “Is if there are any areas to avoid while? And why?

Implementation

  • A way to build a bridge in this community could be through a service project ______.
  • A single church plant can reach a maximum radius or geographic area of ______.
  • I found boundary lines of ______ (geographic, transportation, or other) and cannot be crossed.
  • We will need to plan other plants in ______ and ______ because of ______.

4. Spiritual
While all aspects of our exegetical process are designed to determine the activity of God, this one has a very specific focus. We are now studying the community to learn how the community has historically engaged spiritually (not just to evangelicals) and how that is affecting them currently.

Observation

  • Are Christian churches growing, maintaining, or declining?
  • How many churches are evangelistic?
  • What are “spiritual” places in the community besides churches?
  • Are there any Christian schools?
  • Are there any Christian non-profit, para-church or social agencies in the area?
  • Have you noticed any “people of peace?”

Conversation

  • When visiting a Christian church ask:
  • “What significant spiritual markers have affected the spiritual climate, either positively or negatively?”
  • “What are the hard to reach demographics?”
  • “What is their average age in attendance”?
  • “What lessons have you learned in serving your community?”
  • Ask residents: “Where are the places of life, hope and beauty in the community?”

Implementation

  • I believe the spiritual climate is ______.
  • There are deep spiritual wounds in this community from ______.
  • I would recommend concentrating on ______ and avoiding ______.
  • Persons of peace that I discovered were ______.
  • The most underserved and spiritually hungry demographic is ______.


Published September 1, 2016

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Jeff Christopherson

Jeff Christopherson is the North American Mission Board's Vice President of the Send Network. He and his wife, Laura, live in Alpharetta, Georgia.