If you’re interested in reading more about Community Organising from a Christian faith perspective, then here are some suggestions to get you started.
Disclaimer- there is no one source that offers an overview into a Methodist faith-rooted approach to Community Organising. We are weaving together insights, wisdom and challenges from a range of different perspectives. The following is a list of books, articles and resources that colleagues and I have found to be helpful starting points. That doesn’t means that we necessarily agree with everything that’s written, but there’s been something in each which has resonated or challenged in a way which has been productive.
Books on Community Organising from a Christian Faith Perspective
Faith Rooted Community Organizing by Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel
What I like about it: It’s offers a helpful perspective on what it means to be involved in Community Organising as people of Christian Faith in the US, although much of the learning shared applies elsewhere.
Effective Organizing for Congregational Renewal by Michael Gecan
What I like about it: It’s a quick but impactful read; a very brief introductory booklet on using the tools of organising for congregational development.
Christ the Organiser: Community Organising for Discipleship and Mission by Tim Norwood
What I like about it: Accessible theological reflections on Community Organising as part of our Christian discipleship. Written from an Anglican perspective, but could easily be adapted and used for personal reflection, or Small Group discussion material in Methodist Churches.
Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing by Denis A Jacobson.
What I like about it: I particularly appreciated the challenging theological engagement on the issue of power which is so central to the practice of community organising. The context is different but the underlying challenges are similar.
Other sources
The Centre for Theology and Community, based in London but now increasingly working with churches wider afield, have published some helpful resources on community organising and churches:
WHAT IS COMMUNITY ORGANISING? | The Centre for Theology & Community
Lessons from the Community Organising Pilot with the Warm Welcome Campaign. Many churches have been involved in offering warm spaces- this article summarises the learning from a pilot community organising training programme, which aimed to equip hosts with organising skills to build relationships and act for change: Guest Article: Building on the foundations of Community Power | by Martha Mackenzie | Civic Power Fund | Medium