DISCOVERING FELT NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY

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DISCOVERING FELT NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY
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DISCOVERING FELT NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY WILL
ACCOMPLISH AT LEAST FOUR THINGS

• DISPEL IGNORANCE
• DEVELOP A VISION FOR THE UNCHURCHED
• PROVIDE MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAY LEADERS TO
  BE AT THE HUB OF MINISTRY
• BROADEN THE CHURCHS UNDERSTANDING OF MINISTRY.

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CHANGE IS ON EVERY FRONT!!

• Technological advances.
• Changing demographics
• Graying of America
• Fragmentation of the family
• Changing ethnic mix
• The black urbanite
• The rush to the Sunbelt

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CHANGING VALUES

• SECULARISM
• PLURALISM
• PRIVATIZATION

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DR. G. WILLIS BENNETTS BOOK EFFECTIVE URBAN
CHURCH MINISTRY SAID THERE ARE FOUR QUESTIONS HE
WANTED A CHURCH TO UNDERSTAND IN ATTEMPTING TO
DISCOVER NEEDS AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR EFFECTIVE
CHURCH MINISTRY
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• WHO ARE WE AS A CONGREGATION?
• WHERE ARE WE AS A CONGREGATION?
• WHERE ARE WE GOING AS A CONGREGATION, AND HOW
  WELL ARE WE DOING IT?
• WHAT OUGHT WE TO BE DOING AS A CONGREGATION AND
  HOW ARE WE TO DO IT?

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HERE ARE FIVE RECOMMENDED STEPS TO HELP YOU TO
DISCOVER FELT OR REAL NEEDS

• Locate and identify the churchs target
  community.
• Gather demographic census tracks and other key
  documents.
• Conduct a need survey of the community.
• Conduct a prayer walk of the community.