Does anyone know of any churches doing ABCD in their neighborhoods instead of traditional charity/service-style community ministries? I am a Presbyterian pastor wanting to learn how to shift a church's traditional mission ministry (soup kitchen, Thanksgiving food boxes, Christmas Angel Tree, etc.) to ABCD-style partnerships with local neighborhood residents and groups. I understand the concepts of ABCD and have seen the workbook material, but I'd love to talk to other pastors who have actually gone through this transformation with their churches. I have read about Broadway UMC in Indianapolis. Are there any other churches out there who are really active in this way? Thanks for your help!

Hi Kimberleigh,

There are a few that I can think of in Australia, as below:

Faith in Action

Baptist Care

Uniting Church

Some individuals you might want to check out:

Adrian Pyle - Gift-A-Blog

David Cooper - Shalom Makers

There's plenty more members on this site too - have a look around!

Regards,

Dee...

I was actually wondering about churches in the U.S. that I could visit. Are there any closer than Australia? On another note, why do you think there aren't more using ABCD?

Hi Kimberleigh,

Dave Cooperis not in Australia - make contact with him and I'm sure he will put you in touch with others...

I think it's definitely a growing movement in faith communities though - have you seenAn Other Kingdomyet?

Regards,

Dee...

p.s. you're always welcome to come to Oz, too!

St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbus OH. Rector is Rev. Dr. Lee Ann Reit.

Hi Kimberleigh,

You might want to look at the book, "Toxic Charity," by Robert Lupton. It provides not only examples, but also a framework to explain the change in approach to church members. Good luck

Hi Kim!

In addition to the great examples in Dee's replies, I'd love to point you to Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Here are a few resources about their work:

http://www.aprildoner.com/roving-youth-corps-interviews/

http://www.abundantcommunity.com/home/stories/parms/1/story/20150518_from_charity_to_empowerment_interview_with_mike_mather_of_indianapoliss_broadway_umc.html

http://www.ctcmidsouth.org/#!Lessons-from-Broadway-Part-3-Miracles-Abundance-and-Discovering-More-than-Is-Expected/c2b4/559fe7940cf25466c29d08a3

[quote="Kimberleigh Wells"]

Does anyone know of any churches doing ABCD in their neighborhoods instead of traditional charity/service-style community ministries? I am a Presbyterian pastor wanting to learn how to shift a church's traditional mission ministry (soup kitchen, Thanksgiving food boxes, Christmas Angel Tree, etc.) to ABCD-style partnerships with local neighborhood residents and groups. I understand the concepts of ABCD and have seen the workbook material, but I'd love to talk to other pastors who have actually gone through this transformation with their churches. I have read about Broadway UMC in Indianapolis. Are there any other churches out there who are really active in this way? Thanks for your help!

[/quote] 

Hi Kimberleigh,

I see this is 8 years past since this question on ABCD and churches. I am interested to know if you have practiced ABCD with your church community and neighborhood? I would like your revelations and lessons learned.

[quote="Tracey"]

Hi Kimberleigh,

I see this is 8 years past since this question on ABCD and churches. I am interested to know if you have practiced ABCD with your church community and neighborhood? I would like your revelations and lessons learned. Thank you,

Tracey

[/quote]