Planting Churches in the ‘Hood
I’ve been observing friends and colleagues who are planting churches around the country lately, from the suburbs to the city to what i’ll call the ‘hood. I don’t think “the hood” needs much definition; it’s usually neglected by the city, developers (unless gentrification is happening) and it’s often peopled by persons of color (although not always). Crime can be often an issue, and life there aint always easy, and poverty is common. At any rate, the question is, what are the implications of planting a church there?
I think of the gentrifying implications, the tension of “us” moving into “their” neighborhood, and although we mean well we were never invited in the first place? Do we perpetuate the gentrifying stereotypes in doing so? And if we do, how do we not just commoditize our services and patronizing charitable endeavors? How do we mobilize a neighborhood to theological ascension? Anyways what are your thoughts of planting in some of the tougher ‘hoods? If I am honest I am drawn to the idea.
Where are the tougher neighborhoods in your neck of the woods – that are neglected by the church, by the police, by the developers?
i live in one of these areas though it is gentrifying and I grew up in the city and though not in the hood, many folks from the suburbs assumed it was just because it was urban. ONe of the interesting things I felt about suburban (usually white) types coming into the city was that the assumptions they carried with them about life in my neighborhood were usually very wrong and that included assumptions about church life and spirituality. Last year speaking to a church planter who started a church in my old (and now entirely gentrified) neighborhood, he expressed surprise at the extent to which many of the kids and families involved in the community center where they had service were actively churched or already Christian. For me his surprise was amusing and annoying at the same time and reminded me of the feeling we used to have as kids when what we called “rich white people” decided to come into our neighborhood to “save us.” They were interested in telling us about a Jesus we already worshipped and we listened politely and took advantage of whatever programs they offered. Now of course my experience is not necessarily normative, but I suspect that very many folks in the hood are far more christian than those who come to evangelize them.
well said @elderj
oftentimes the presumption is we’re bringing in a better brand of faith, which is entirely imperialistic in tone. I wonder if there are any examples of this merging of communities that is done well, w/o imperializing / condescending overtones – thus the incarnation but also ascension dialectic.
Seems like the suburbs need more hood missionaries than the other way around.
@Matt
I think you hit a nerve there Matt – that seems to be exactly it