#006 – "Get out of the need-meeting business and get into the gift -finding business!" -- it's just one of the challenges that Lean-in's guest Jay Van Groningen brings to followers of Jesus, who want to make a difference where they live. Through his lens of asset-based community development, Jay helps us explore the role of church in the community ... one that is at its best when it embraces a culture of reciprocity, mutual engagement, and dignified inter-dependance.

Jay Van Groningen currently serves as a asset-based community development trainer and coach with the Great Lakes Urban Restoration Network. He brings a wealth of faith-based community development experience, having birthed and supported many church-based Christian community development organizations.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Discussed in this podcast is Jay's journey to embracing asset-based community development (ABCD). He shares what he has learned: about what it takes for the body of Christ to think and act differently -- where coming alongside a local community is neither done out of self-interest, nor is dependency producing.

During the podcast Jay explains:

• What he has discovered about generational poverty and immigrant poverty
• The value of stand-alone non-profits in partnership with a church
• ABCD theory and how it differs from traditional church approach to community engagement
• The 6 gifts that are found in every community
• What community engagement and community mobilization look like
• The 6 community development categories/activities useful for churches wanting to make an impact
• How to put ABCD into practise where you live
• What role in the community can followers of Jesus play when using ABCD
• Thanksgiving and appreciation for how the God of Hope is at work in communities

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/ABCD

On the next Lean-in Podcast, I’ll be joined by Tom Jackson, CEO of the UK's Love Your Neighbour Campaign -- a nation-wide initiative that is tackling the social consequences of COVID-19 for vulnerable people.

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