ASSET-BASED STRATEGIES FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES A Community Building Workbook from the Asset-Based Community Development Institute Institute for Policy Research Northwestern University 2040 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL 60208-4100 John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Co-Directors By Susan Rans and Hilary Altman, Ph.D. Illustrations by Dan Erlander Distributed exclusively by: ACTA Publications 4848 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: 773-271-1030 Toll Free Phone: 800-397-2282; Fax: 800-397-0079 in the U.S. and Canada E-mail:
[email protected] Supported by the Chicago Community Trust in consultation with the Kinship Foundation © 2002 by the ABCD Institute TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Asset-Building Stories 11 Discovering the Gifts of Individuals 11 Broadway Christian Parish United Methodist Church 11 New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church 18 Expanding Assets 23 Salishan/Eastside Lutheran Mission 23 Bethel Lutheran Church 26 Working Across Boundaries 33 Interfaith Action 33 Pathways to Peace 36 United Congregations for Youth Development 38 Changing Institutions 41 Mutual Ministry — the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan 41 The Communities of Shalom — the United Methodist Church 46 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 49 Center for Community Transformation — Chicago Theological Seminary 59 Institutional Change Supports Community Change 63 The Salvation Army 63 Finding Inspiration in our Community’s Assets 67 Individual Assets: Welcoming the Stranger 67 Associational Assets: Gatherings of Two or More 69 Institutional Assets: Moving Mountains 70 Physical Assets: Upon this Rock 71 Economic Assets: One Dollar, One Thousand Hands 73 Conclusion: Finding Useful Ideas in this Book 74 A Community Building Workbook © 2002 ABCD Institute Appendices 77 I.