Caring about our world

Community and Parish Development

What is Community Development?

Community development is biblical and Trinitarian. It describes a way of working that is based on a set of values and relationships. For those of us who are Christians, this means a values base assured on knowing that every individual is created in the image of God and is unique and loved by him. And, that as we love and serve God, so we love and serve our neighbour. This means that all people should be able to exercise choice in their own lives and participate in the rights and responsibilities in decision making. Community development is concerned with poverty and power, justice and truth. The process of community development means that people are empowered to make decisions right where they live. People matter! That's it in a nutshell. People are more important than buildings and policies, more important than programmes and ticking boxes. Community development sees that people are enabled to grow and learn and become integrated and cohesive neighbourhoods who have a network of relationships.

Why is community development part of the work of the church?

Who are we as church if we are not a community - in 'communion' with one another?

Community Development is part of mission: Alongside other Diocesan fields community development contributes to evangelism and works for the proclamation of the gospel and works for the increase of the kingdom through service and action. James 2:14 "for what good is it my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?"

Community Development helps people and is participative: Coming alongside people, listening and finding out what a communities needs are is the first step in community development work - starting where people are. It then becomes possible to help people find transformative change for themselves and their community.

Community Development is a slow process: it can take several years for a community to feel empowered enough to make changes or gain the resources it needs. What community development seeks to do is provide a process which leads to change and development that people want and is sustainable. It therefore, takes commitment and energy. As Archbishop William Temple wisely said "the church is the only organisation which exists for the people outside of it." We are in it for the long haul - the church (of England) has a parochial commitment to stay in every community no matter what, when others come and go, we remain.

Use of Church buildings: We have a wide variety of church buildings here in Southwark Diocese, some are incredibly well ordered, modern and have full facilities, others are more...challenging! Our church buildings are very often located in prime positions and have baseline resources that can be developed for wider use, having them open 5-7 days a week rather than one or two has to be a good thing. Community development will help you look at how your buildings might better serve the local people. The community and parish development advisor along with the funding manager will help you explore the possibilities of this both in terms of people and capital and revenue development.

Regeneration and Community Development: our Diocese has an astounding amount of regeneration taking place within it. Community development principals remind us, that regeneration is as much about the people as it is about the buildings and economic gain. The community and parish development advisor works closely with the regeneration advisor. Also when working on capital development projects on churches the advisor will also work with the environment officer of the diocese, to ensure environmental and sustainable plans are considered and adopted.

The Diocesan Community and Parish Development adviser will work with you to deliver the very best possible standards for your work and will try to guide you through a myriad of processes, from visioning, auditing your community, needs assessment, buildings development, architectural liaison, business planning, management and governance structures, volunteer and employee recruitment and retention, risk assessment, policy advice, networking, theological reflection, information on latest Government policy, training, research, facilitation, planning, partnerships and negotiation.

Community and Parish Development Advisor,