New Appointments, New Connections

As United Methodist pastors, we have committed ourselves to the itinerant system, acknowledging that moving to a new church and a new community can take place every couple of years. Sometimes, just as we feel we are getting settled into the rhythm of a place or after we’ve had time to build valuable connections, we must move on. The call to enter a new community and church brings excitement and hope, but it also brings anxiety and nervousness that comes with stepping into the unknown. As pastors take these first steps into a new appointment, they can take some key steps to help them learn, grow, and connect more deeply with the community.

1. Listen and Learn:

Spend the first few weeks or months actively listening to the congregation and the community. Attend local events; meet with church members, and schedule meetings with community leaders. Ask questions about the history, needs, hopes, and gifts of the congregation and community. As you talk with people-- whether in a planned meeting or a casual event in the community-- seek to be prayerful and open, and be ready to offer an intentional, authentic presence.

Some key questions to ask those you meet:

• What do you enjoy as a hobby? What are your gifts?
• How did you come to live in this neighborhood and community?
• How has the neighborhood/community changed over time?
• What is your favorite thing about the neighborhood/community?
• What exciting things have happened in this neighborhood/community?
• What is one thing you would change about this neighborhood/community?

Click here to learn more about being a listening church and discovering ways to listen to God, the community, and the congregation.

2. Build Relationships:

Prioritize relationship building with key stakeholders in the community-- church members, leaders of local nonprofits, service providers, business owners, and civic leaders. Genuine relationships are the foundation of effective partnerships. Listen and learn about who is doing what for whom in the community, what needs are being met, and who is being served. Focus on listening and learning. Relationships take time to build. Follow-up conversations can occur outside formal meeting spaces, during community events and gatherings, or in the local coffee shop or other place. For more resources related to building relationships and connecting with the people around you, visit seeallthepeople.org.

3. Assess Community Needs:

Conduct a needs assessment to understand the pressing issues and opportunities within the community. You could use surveys, focus groups, or informal conversations. In addition to identifying needs, look for the gifts and strengths of the community using asset-based community development (ABCD) practices. ABCD practices focus on recognizing and leveraging the existing talents, resources, and capacities of individuals and groups within the community. By identifying these assets, you can help empower the community to build on its strengths and address its challenges. One effective strategy for recognizing gifts within the community is to develop a community asset map. You can do this in a variety of ways, whether through collecting notes from conversations you’ve had with people from the church and community, gathering a diverse group from your church, or inviting a few people from the church and community.

1. Gather Participants: Invite a diverse group of community members, including church members, local business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, and residents. Ensure representation from various age groups, backgrounds, and sectors.
2. Facilitate Small-Group Discussions: Organize participants into small groups and provide them with large maps of the community. Supply markers, sticky notes, and other materials for brainstorming.
3. Identify Individual Skills and Talents: Ask participants to share their personal skills, talents, and resources. These could include professional expertise, hobbies, volunteer experiences, and any other abilities they possess.
4. Map Community Resources: Encourage groups to identify and mark physical assets such as parks, community centers, libraries, and local businesses. Also, highlight social assets such as community organizations, clubs, and informal networks.
5. Share and Synthesize: After the small group-discussions, bring everyone together to share their findings. Create a map that includes all the identified assets, both individual and community-wide.
6. Analyze and Plan: Analyze the collected data to identify common themes and opportunities for partnerships. Develop action plans to leverage these assets for community development projects, church initiatives, or partnerships.

This process can help identify gifts and resources within the church and community and can help lead to new and stronger relationships between the church and the community. The process may lead to further growth and learning as people of faith are empowered to connect their gifts and strengths in those places that make the most sense.

4. Engage in Local Activities:

Participate in local events, volunteer opportunities, and community meetings. Being visible and active in the community helps build trust and shows that you are committed to the well-being of the area. Engaging in local activities offers an opportunity to offer consistent presence over a longer span of time, whether you serve monthly in a setting (for example, a food pantry), attend city council meetings, or spend some office hours in a “third space,” such as a coffee shop or other gathering spot. Engaging with people in the community can be an opportunity to build trust and relationships as you demonstrate your consistency and willingness to listen.

5. Collaborate and Partner:

Once you have a good understanding of the community, identify and reach out to potential partners for collaboration. Look for ways to support existing initiatives and create new ones that align with the church's mission and the community's needs. Effective partnerships can increase your impact and help create a sense of unity throughout the community.

As you begin to enter a new season and a new appointment, taking these steps can help you connect more deeply with your new community and build a foundation for meaningful and impactful ministry. You will also connect the congregation with the community in ways that lead to transformation that could last beyond your time in that place.