If you’re planting a church, leading a growing congregation, or simply longing to see your city reflect the love of Jesus, hear this: your prayers need to come with feet attached.
We talk about being the light of the world. But light only matters when it’s positioned where darkness is already present. That’s neighborhoods, schools, city halls, and local nonprofits. These are the places where life is messy, complicated, and often desperate for hope.
The question is: how do you move from good intentions to real impact? It’s actually far more simple than we might realize. You go to the people who are already shaping your city and you show up.
Step 1: Start With Relationships
You can’t build a community partnership with an email or a flyer. Relationships are forged over tables, coffee, shared stories, and honest conversations. That means scheduling time with people. People like:
- Your mayor or city council
- School principals and superintendents
- Local business owners
- Police and fire leadership
- Nonprofits already serving the community
And when you sit down, don’t pitch. Don’t lead with, “Here’s what we can do for you.” Lead with:
- “Where do you see the biggest needs in our city?”
- “What challenges are keeping families or neighborhoods from thriving?”
- “How can a church like ours come alongside the work you’re already doing?”
The answers will be a roadmap and frankly a wake-up call.
Step 2: Listen, Then Act
Listening isn’t passive. It’s the first step toward kingdom-aligned action. When you hear the heartbeat of your city, you start to see patterns: maybe youth need mentoring, single parents need support, or elderly neighbors are isolated.
From there, you don’t just talk about helping. You actually mobilize your church. That might mean:
- Launching tutoring programs or after-school activities
- Hosting community service days or neighborhood cleanups
- Partnering with local nonprofits on food, clothing, or mentorship initiatives
- Providing space for civic meetings or family workshops
Each of these steps isn’t just community service. It’s the Gospel in action. People see Jesus in the care, in the presence, in the hands willing to serve.
Step 3: Be Consistent, Not Opportunistic
A one-time event doesn’t build trust. Showing up consistently does. The church that wants to see Jesus’ love transform a city absolutely has to:
- Keep showing up at the right tables
- Follow through on commitments
- Celebrate wins with community partners
- Keep learning and adjusting based on the needs of real people
Consistency communicates: we’re not here for headlines. We’re here for people.
Step 4: Invite Others to Join
The power of the church is not in one pastor, one planter, or one congregation. It’s in the body of Christ moving together. Invite your leadership team, small groups, and members to participate. Mobilize volunteers with a clear purpose, not just busywork.
- Encourage people to use their gifts: carpentry, mentoring, teaching, cooking, or simply listening
- Make service personal: connect volunteers directly with real families, kids, or neighbors
- Share stories: when people see the impact, they’re inspired to engage even more
Step 5: Measure Kingdom Impact, Not Just Attendance
Church planting (church in general) and community work isn’t about filling pews. It’s about transforming neighborhoods and lives. Ask yourself:
- Are families more supported?
- Are kids thriving?
- Are neighborhoods safer and stronger?
- Are people seeing Jesus in tangible ways?
If the answer is yes, your church isn’t just existing. It’s advancing the Kingdom.
A Bold Challenge
Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting for the perfect program. Stop waiting for everything to line up.
Go meet your mayor. Sit with your principal. Show up where the people are. Ask questions. Listen. Serve. Repeat.
When you lead this way, your church won’t just be a building on a corner. It will be a force for transformation, a living expression of Jesus’ love breaking into your city, one relationship at a time.
This is post three in the series Church On The Corner. Check out post one where we navigated real questions that garner partnership with civic leaders. And post two that dealt with posture in community partnerships.
Source: www.derrickhurst.org