At the heart of Christian Community Development is the church, the body of Christ, fully engaged in the process of transformation. The church is uniquely equipped to affirm the dignity, gifts, and skills of individuals and communities.
One problem today has been that the church is not involved in developing its communities. Often, the church has been an unfriendly neighbor in communities across our country. Churches are guilty of being open only on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and being almost irrelevant to the needs of the people around them. Christian Community Development sees taking action as the role of the church in working towards the development of its community.
It is the responsibility of the church to evangelize, disciple and nurture people in the Kingdom. Yet, from the command of Jesus, it is also the responsibility of the church to love their neighbor and their neighborhood. Churches should be seen as lovers of their community and neighborhoods. It is out of the church body that ideas and programs should emerge.
Lastly, probably the greatest sustaining power of community development is the community building of a local church. Christian community is based on people living in the community and having a local church to worship together. It is the church where people gather to be rejuvenated and have their personal needs met. The church helps people to understand that each person has gifts and talents and all must utilize those for the greater good of the community. A worshipping church breaks down many of the barriers including racial, educational and cultural barriers that often separate people in communities.
Dive Deeper into CCD by learning from our amazing practitioners!
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How to Engage Your Church with CCD -
Church-based (2025) -
The Lazarus Blueprint: A Guide for Churches to Embrace Reentry – Rev. Dexter Kearny, Candice Baughman, Antonio Gomez -
Opportunities, Pitfalls, and Blessings of Affordable Housing on Congregational Land – Jill Shook, Rev. Julia ‘Jules’ Nielsen, Pastor Camelia Joseph -
Food and Faith: Justice Rooted Food Ministry – Jodi Koeman, MSW -
Flourishing Futures: How Investing in Babies Can Transform Our Communities – Sandra Ovalle, Rev. Moya Harris, Lauren Morrissey -
Conflict Transformation: Mining Conflict as Catalysts for Community Building – Rev. Christine Youn Hung, Ray Kim, Almarie Navarro, Rebecca Cataldi -
Centering Discipleship: Connecting the Church to Community Development-Rev. Dr. Eun K. Strawser, Melissa Cabagbag, Kelci Schedler
Not a member? Join the CCDA Family
Membership has always been a way for us to accomplish our mission and vision. We want you to succeed in your work, so we created a structure that will sustain our work of strengthening individuals and organizations just like you. We are constantly striving to update and scale the resources available to our members so that you have the tools you need to complete the good work to which God has called you.
