At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
While the world becomes increasingly complex, professionalized, and disconnected, the church is experiencing a crisis of identity. Do we follow suit and strive to out-program, out-professionalize, and out-attract the rest of the world? Or do gather at the table and focus on the small and simple community-based practices that have been our strength across the generations?
At the Table is a Podcast for church leaders interested in community-based ministry that contributes to the common good via mutual relationships, spiritual practice, simplicity, and an awareness of God’s activity in our communities. Each month, we will have conversations with leaders and practitioners of community-based ministry to reflect on and learn about the core practices, theological underpinnings, and immediate invitations of this important work. We believe that something miraculous happens when Christian community gathers with neighbors at the table.
You can learn more about the work of place-based ministry and the common good by visiting www.nicholastangen.com and subscribing to Nicholas Tangen's Newsletter.
At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
Abundant Communities Edmonton with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus
Today’s episode is a conversation with Tammy Greidanus and Howard Lawrence from Keep Neighbouring in Edmonton, formerly called Abundant Communities. Keep Neighbouring is an initiative that builds connections and relationships between neighbors to support healthy communities, bringing folks together for block parties, place-based projects, and community development. For over a decade, the Abundant Communities initiative has focused on connecting neighbors one block at a time, contributing to a greater sense of safety and security, and providing increased opportunity for neighbors to participate in civic life.
The very beginning of this work in Edmonton was influenced by Asset-Based Community Development and the work of Peter Block, including the book Abundant Communities: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. Howard and Tammy, both neighbors and practitioners, work with Keep Neighboring and bring years of wisdom leading neighbor-led and place-based work on the ground. We talk about asset-based community development, why block parties matter, how cities and local governments can support the work, and what they have learned over the last decade of focusing on neighborhood relationships and development.
Keep Neighboring is an incredible example of a city and neighborhoods taking relationships seriously for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus.
Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.
www.nicholastangen.com