Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 focused on how we can learn about our community through study.  Most of the ideas suggested could all be done from a distance.  But to really learn a community you have to live there.  You have to live life with the natives.  This is the incarnational side of understanding your community.  Those of you who move into a new community to start a church will struggle the most with this.  I’ve had many planters tell me that they are lonely and crave some good friendships.  I think that’s good.  It does two things.  First, it forces the you to get out and meet people.  Second, it pushes you to depend more on God.

Here are some ideas for learning about your community through people.

1. Missional rhythms.  This may seem boring, but go to the same places at the same time regularly.  Find a coffee shop with wi-fi and go during a slow time of the day and work.  Do it regularly.  Get to know the people who work there.  Go to the grocery store at the same time and check out with the same checker.  Eat at the same restaurant regularly and ask for the same waiter.  When you fill up with gas, go inside and pay.  Avoid drive throughs.  Become a regular fixture in people’s lives.  Go to the gym the same time every day, even if you just chat and don’t work out.
2. Join a civic group like the Chamber of Commerce or Rotary.
3. Join a toastmaster’s group.  You likely aren’t going to be preaching weekly while preparing to plant the church.  Toastmaster’s can help you polish your public speaking skills and get you involved with a small group of people who want to improve as well.  Part of the group is sharing your story and practicing your public speaking in front of each other.  They’ll hear the gospel every time you speak.
4. Host neighborhood block parties.  Throw a party.  Have some fun.  Don’t do it in the name of the church.  Just do it to be a blessing to your neighborhood.
5. Do a community needs assessment.  This is a great way to learn about the needs of the community.  Consider partnering with a local non-profit or civic group to conduct the survey.  This will get you in the door with many movers and shakers in your community and will give you something to say when you meet with them.  When you meet, always have a next step in mind.  If you are doing a needs assessment, it’s easy to say that you’ll contact them when the assessment is done.  Remember, you want a relationship not a one time meeting.
6. Do a community survey.  List out 4 or 5 questions you would like to ask the average Joe and Jane in your community.  Do a giveaway and have them sign up by filling out the survey.  Make sure to get their emails so you can send them the results and let them know of community events the church is planning.
7. Serve you community.  I had one planter that raked the leaves of everyone’s yard on the block he lived on.  When they asked why, he was able to share God’s love with them.  That same planter discovered that the city had a need to repair a park.  He gathered 100 volunteers from previous churches he had ministered with and they repaired the church.  This served as the foundation of long lasting and fruitful relationship with the city.  In the midst of serving, the planter was able to learn from city leaders what the greatest needs were.
8. Get out of the office.  It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you get face to face with people from the community.  You can’t plant a church behind a desk.  There will be the tension “to get something done.”  Instead of spending time with people, you’ll retreat to the computer.  Don’t do it.  Get to know your community.  Relationships take time.  The more relationships you build early on, the more time you will have for those relationships to marinate.  Then asking someone to join the planting team or attend a service or join a bible study won’t seem so intimidating.  It will just seem natural.  And all those plans for outreach and discipleship won’t be coming out of your head, but will be coming out of the culture God has placed you in.

Next week: Pulling all your learnings together.