For people and for a community to flourish, faith and the church is needed

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:27:42 -0500

Did you know that once passenger pigeons blanketed the America skies? Flocks were so large that they’d darken the skies for hours as they migrated.

And then, very suddenly they all died off. The very last one of its kind, which was affectionately named “Martha,” lived in the Cincinnati Zoo but died in 1914.

Yes, the birds were hunted and shot not even for food, just for the twisted fun of it –– but that’s not what decimated the species.

Researchers have now found out that for flocks of carrier pigeons to flourish, they need a community of others. The community raised their young together and searched for food together and thrived when around others.

And when their numbers dipped below a certain point, suddenly the community was shattered and they perished.

Sometimes I feel like we’re like those very special birds. Sure, we can get by with just a friend or two or three, but to thrive, to live an uplifted life, we need a flock. We need a community.

We need to create value for the world. Faith communities are critically important to the fabric of society. They are some of the most effective, efficient, and compelling organizations at helping people who have nowhere to turn.

So how could Silicon Valley ignore one of the most important parts of society? Why wouldn’t we build a social impact platform that is a digital destination for faith? Who is addressing this problem?

Did you know Nonprofit 501(c)3 religious organizations generate approximately $135 billion per year in charitable donations?

“It is estimated that the Catholic Church alone operates more than 140,000 schools, 10,000 orphanages, 5,000 hospitals and nearly 16,000 other health clinics.” David Paton.

ARE CHURCHES FIXING A PROBLEM IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

Your faith community is your third place. In the concept of community building, your third place is the social environment separate from your two typical social places, your home being the first place, and your work being the second place. Your faith community is your third place.

In a world of text messaging and social media your third place should always be with you.

As social media transforms how we connect with others, how we establish feelings of self-worth, and how we understand a sense of place, faith communities have been completely ignored and overlooked.

Many faith communities in America, especially Christian communities, feel they have been overtly discriminated against by Silicon Valley tech companies.

For people to flourish, we need a strong community. We need a community of people we can do life with. We need a community of people that encourage us, help us through hard times, and help us address the most important problems where we live.

Like the carrier pigeons of past, by flocking together and working together we thrive. If you don’t have a third place that is thriving, I recommend you find one to be a part of.

Explore a faith community centered around prayer, remember what it feels like to help others, and let technology strengthen your bond so your flock is always with you.

Are churches fixing a problem in your neighborhood?

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:51:31 -0500

In the mid-20th century, people belonged to many more clubs and associations. Someone might be part of a softball league, the PTA, the Lions Club, help the local Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop, and have an extended family nearby.

Sure, people still gather. But it’s not the same as it was. Membership in all those organizations has dropped way down and continues to fall. For instance, participation in the Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs has dropped significantly since 1975.

And with the disappearance of that way of life, we have less connections to and less interactions with people who can lift us up and who are always there for us. It’s no secret that churches, temples, and other faith communities in America are also afflicted by these same trends.

But let me tell you why a decline in the health of faith organizations is an alarming problem for your neighborhood… Churches and other faith organizations provide vital social services to your community members, regardless of their theology. In fact, studies dating back to the 1990s find that the typical community church provides about $150,000 worth of social services per year.

In addition, faith-based neighborhood partnerships provide even more economic and social support than churches alone. We’ve learned that partnerships with faith organizations strengthen civic engagement and social support. Results of these efforts include increased economic activity for local business, improved early childhood education, and more nonprofit startup-ups in your community.

Below I have included an infographic to illustrate how powerful these faith organizations are in your hometown. This graphic was compiled from the research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Professor Ram Cnaan and they show upwards of a $6 million per year impact for a single church.

Some of the highlights from First Baptist Church in Philadelphia include:

- Reduced crime rate: a reduction of $64,416 (crimes within neighborhood compared with surrounding neighborhoods x $2,210)

- Getting people off drugs and alcohol: $78,750 ($15,750 per person helped)

- Volunteer hours worked: $94,770 (weekly hours x 52 weeks x $20.25)

- Helping people gain employment: $725,000 ($14,500 per-arranged employment)

- Suicide prevention: $58,800 ($19,600 per person saved through clergy intervention)

If you care about your community and want to fix these problems then you should support a local faith organization. Whether you do or do not consider yourself a spiritual person, I recommend finding a local faith organization, learning about the community outreach services they provide and exploring how you can make a positive social impact.

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For people and for a community to flourish, faith and the church is needed

Are churches fixing a problem in your neighborhood?