The Underlying Challenge of Community Development

Proximity matters. 

I believe one of the biggest underlying challenges organizations and individuals face when it comes to implementing their mission and overcoming a “toxic" form of charity, is geography. Bob Lupton was in Fort Wayne last weekend and went on and on with stories about the things they learned they were doing that had a toxic effect on the neighborhood once many of they began living in the neighborhood. By now living in the very neighborhood they served, they’re perspective started to change. If you have a program approach towards something but cannot understand how that is received, you’ll never know whether your time and effort is even welcomed or just taken because you’re offering it. 

One of things that helped me really understand this for myself after my wife and I moved into a low income neighborhood in the center of Fort Wayne, was door-to-door evangelism efforts. When I was old enough to understand this form of sharing the love of Christ, I didn’t have much to say about it other than I knew I’d never be comfortable doing it and blessings to those that had the guts to knock on doors and create conversations. 

Once we moved into a neighborhood with the desire to love our neighbors and share the love of Christ from the inside out rather than coming from the outside, my view of that activity radically changed. I was struck with how toxic and unproductive that activity really is towards advancing the kingdom. I found myself hoping they’d go away because they were going to paint a poor picture of what it means to follow Christ that I didn’t want to be painted in the neighborhood I live in. It would seem that they didn’t care enough to figure out where God is already at work in our neighborhood rather than believing that since we live in the inner city, we’re Godless. I personally don’t want to be a Sunday afternoon mission project. I already know Jesus and if you really wanted to spend your time doing something productive, move in and tap into the bigger issues. 

Moving closer to the area where many NeighborLink projects are requested from has also helped me understand that in order to truly help folks transition into a more sustainable living situation, it’s going to take more than a few Saturday afternoon projects. It’s going to take some community development initiatives to help transform the neighborhoods around those needing help in order to stabilize the whole area. If you can get the neighborhood to lead that charge, even better. 

I’m really glad we decided to move and I welcome anyone who has been wrestling with the idea of relocating to the urban core to move forward with that desire. But, don’t think about how you’re going to be all missional. Just think about moving so you can become a really great neighbor. Our neighborhoods need stable, resourced neighbors with the Love of Christ. If that can happen, the things that need to improve will rise to the top and give you all the work you can handle.