Now here some news I consider very GOOD news for the church: According to the latest Hartford Institute for Religion Research national survey of U.S. faith communities, interfaith activity among faith communities has more than tripled since 2000. The survey, sponsored by the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, found that two out of ten congregations reported participation in an interfaith worship service and the past year. That statistic doubles when it comes to participating in a community service activity. Nearly four in ten congregations reported joining in interfaith community service activities across the United States. (http://fact.hartsem.edu/FACT2006news.html)
A survey of Externally Focused Churches in the Leadership Network Community delivered similar results. Churches are stepping up to work together in community service ministry. The following list highlights the primary ways these churches say they have worked with other churches for community service in the past 12 months.
Food programs (such as a food pantry, Meals on Wheels, etc.)
Emergency assistance (providing food, clothing or short term financial assistance)
Child and youth programs (tutoring, youth sports, etc.)
Housing programs (Habitat for Humanity, homeless shelter work)
Prison ministry
Medical and dental programs
Immigrant ministries
Special one-day project work
Interested in learning how churches are overcoming obstacles and jumping into collaborative efforts with other churches? Visit Leadership Network and download my most recent paper on Church to Church Collaborations for Externally Focused Ministry. It highlights a number of churches working together to build the Kingdom of God. http://www.leadnet.org/Resources_Downloads.asp?IsSubmit=True#425
The download is free!
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