In a recent meeting, the Director of Schools began by his speech by recognizing the amazing work his faculty and staff do on a daily basis. Their work really makes a lasting impact in the lives of students and families as well as in the larger community. And then he made a turn in his presentation to describe the overwhelming challenges his staff faces everyday in accomplishing the mission to educate students.
He was speaking to people outside the organization about the needs that exist within the organization. In essence, he was saying, “We can’t do this alone.”
That is true.
Communities flourish when every sphere of influence understands its interdependence on the others. Whole communities require the whole community working together.
Interdependence is Part of the Solution
Our need for one another does not indicate a weakness. Just watch a winning basketball team. Interdependence is actually the secret ingredient to every team’s success. And in a community, it invites all of us to step into each others’ lives long enough to replace our wagging fingers of blame or condescension with a helping hand of humility, love, and get-things-done tenacity.
This interdependence across various sectors of the community also opens the doors for Jesus followers to see our vocation as a welcomed asset to people outside of our everyday circle of influence. It gives practical expression to our calling to love our neighbors and live as Gospel missionaries in our own community.
How Interdependence Works
The Christian business owner, for example, is not just providing a service that customers will pay for that in turn provides her salary. Instead, her vocational aptitude allows her to contribute to the local economy, mentor young employees, be a friend to regular customers, provide essential employment to a single mom, and leverage time, influence, and expertise to serve across domains.
Every employee and customer are already engaged in different sectors of the community that needs help. For instance, the part-time teenage employee attends school, participates in an 4H Club, and performs in local musicals. Through that single existing relationship, the business owner can engage in at least three other sectors of the community.
By taking a holistic view of the community, the business owner begins to ask questions, discover personal and social vulnerabilities, collaborate with others, and connect the good she can do and wants to do with the relationships she already has.
How Relationships Move Us from “Charity Work” to Lasting Change
This relational connection is key to community transformation. It moves all of us away from “charity work” and toward building sustainable change in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Three things happen when we tie our relational networks to our missional ambitions:
Our attitudes change. Rather than asking, “What are they going to do to fix this?” We ask, “What can we do together to fix this?”
Our actions change. Rather than simply serving our church and calling that “doing our part,” we create and execute our business or organizational plan with a kingdom mindset.
Our associations change. Rather than viewing other businesses as competition or other sectors of the community as irrelevant, we remove silos and build broad relationships as we view every business and organization as a partner in the mission of God.
Last Word
Our interdependence is not a fall back position. Instead, communities flourish when leaders from every sphere of influence value one another, collaborate with one another, and learn to trust one another. This is the foundation for the personal change and societal transformation we all want to experience.
Want to Help Your Church, Business, or Organization Make a Lasting Community Impact?
Whether it’s a weekend worship event, small group session, business executive team, or a company wide retreat, I’d be honored to speak to your church, business, or organization about how you can move from “charity work” to sustainable change in your community.
Just send me an email at darylcrouch@everyoneswilson.org or complete the Contact Form. I’d love to hear from you.
Photo by Husna Miskandar on Unsplash