Christian Community is a small and rather entrepreneurial nonprofit organization. Our mission is to strengthen the health of congregations and the communities in which they are located, helping extend ministries of love, service, justice, and healing to persons in need. As a part of that work, we encourage congregations to be involved with community organizations that are concerned with human need and human rights. We have been able to work cooperatively with several major denominations, and over 18,000 congregations have cooperated with us on our research and utilized resources that we have developed.
While our organizational name indicates a Christian orientation, our work is not sectarian in nature. We work cooperatively with Christian, Jewish, Unitarian, and Islamic congregations.
Our research and program development in hospitality, church growth, stewardship (including environmental concerns), and youth and sexuality have earned considerable respect; and we have a very good record on disseminating the results of our work to clergy and congregations, where the information can have impact.
If you are interested in the kind of work we are doing, you may also want to check out our companion organizations:
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing is a part of Christian Community but maintains its own identity and projects focused on the relationship between religion and sexuality. Their website offers lots of helpful information, and you can also sign up for an electronic newsletter: www.religiousinstitute.org
New Life Ministries is a partner of ours involved in church vitality, especially evangelism and church growth. Our Outreach Director, Kristen Leverton Helbert, also serves as the Director of New Life Ministries. The New Life Ministries website contains many practical tips for creating healthy, growing congregations: www.newlifeministries-nlm.org
The Shalom Foundation is a partner of ours that offers outreach newsletters for use by congregations. Their publications Together and Neighbors are designed for mailing to people living in targeted neighborhoods and can introduce those people to the life of your congregation. For more information, go to: www.churchoutreach.com