It dawned on me the other day that it’s been just 2 ½ years since we formally started this experiment known as H.E.L.P. North Mecklenburg. We’ve done a lot in a short time. More on that in a minute.
I’ve been reflecting lately on this unique ministry and thought I’d put those observations on our blog for you to mull over. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to unpack this the next times we’re together.
Ministry is a process that is intentional and relational. Organization requires connections with others who want to create new possibilities, test new boundaries and experiment new realities. Setting people in motion to build something new requires a framework, some beginning plan. Without either – intent or relationships – we don’t live into our potential.
Isaiah 43:19 – I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Advocacy is unknown and/or misunderstood within congregational life. We, as volunteer ‘organizers’ (clergy, congregational staff and lay leaders) and professional staff organizers, must foster opportunities or pathways for congregations to practice advocacy.
Exodus 18:19-21 – Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Congregation-based organizing, as one type of advocacy ministry, is less known within congregational life. We must work intentionally and through relationships with congregational leaders to know organizing as a form of advocacy, to become good at it for the benefit of congregational life and the common good of society, and to view it as an important tool to get a better return on their charitable investments.
Amos 5:24 – Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
So what have we done in 2 ½ years?
From summer 2007 through end of that year, we asked a simple question – ‘should we organize?’ We met formally each month to build relationships and discern the answer to that question.
In 2008, after answering ‘yes’ to that first question, we asked a second question – ‘can we organize?’ We identified talent through individual meetings and conversations and equipping sessions. Local groups felt like we were ready to build a local organizing network.
In January 2009 we listened to the members of local congregations to assess important issues to tackle. We have started to advance this agenda and build collective power – our ability to act.
Our power base is committed and growing. Our potential – because of the size of our participations congregations and organizations – is even larger and broader, in the thousands.
I appreciate our approach to advocacy, which over time will lead growing numbers of congregational leaders and members to practice and understand governance in a deeper way. I have come to believe, after 11 years of this work, that while I hope one day we will have a ‘golden issue’ in front of us, one that a super majority within our membership will want to tackle through our network, we must stay focused on smaller issues that allow more people to get better grounded in the organizing/advocacy ministry. If we steer away from this approach, and focus only on the ‘golden issue’ scenario to galvanize relationships and community, we will do ourselves and our membership a disservice.
In a quick period we have come to be recognized by some decision-makers and have initial access to them. Now, we must live into our potential and be at the tables when critical decisions are made that shape North Mecklenburg, to make a difference and contribute to the growth and development of the region. We have more work to do, but have established a beginning pathway.
