City Faith Theology of Community Transformation and Asset Based Community Development

"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city...pray to the Lord for it,  for if it prospers, you, too will prosper" (Jeremiah 29:7)

"The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood" (John 1:14, The Message)

City Faith Training is our foundational training for engaging with God’s movement in a city. This two day, interactive dialogue and introductory training combines theology, theory and practical tools/skills around engaging our communities. This training will provide guidance into how to discover your "city faith", how to look for the assets and signs of hope in your neighborhood,  how to be a champion for the people in it and how to be an catalyst of God's hope and transformation in the city.

The first component of the training - Theology and Foundations of Community Transformation - gives a lens to the city, exploring how God leads His people to focus their hearts on the welfare of the city and its transformation. This training deepens our understanding of biblical principles for transformation, develops a Kingdom perspective and theological paradigms for the city (including the Kingdom of God, power of place, ministry of presence, Church of the city and shalom/signs of hope), identifies what God is already doing there, helps us to be students of the city and empowers us to discover practical next steps that can be immediately applied to our personal context; helping us to engage our city. We'll also have an opportunity to network, connect and collaborate with others that have a heart for and are involved in their neighborhoods/cities in the Southern California Region.

The second component of the training - Theology and principles of ABCD's (Asset Based Community Development) - approaches community transformation by asking what is right (rather than asking what is wrong and has to be fixed), what is working and how can everyone contribute their skills and passion to make life better. We will learn how to look at our communities as places of great treasure. We'll look at: theology of development, needs-based vs. asset-based, social service vs. community building, gifts of individuals, the negative power of labels, gifts of associations & institutions, stewardship role of the local church, discovering what people care about, listening conversations, community transformation model, role of connector/catalyst, setting the table for community partnership & collaboration, the community organizing process, ABCD into action, asset-mapping, circles of care, champions for a stronger community and next steps.

Next Training/Workshop

Date/Time: February 3-4 (Friday-Saturday, 9-4pm both days)  
Cost: $100 (includes continental breakfast, refreshments and training/handouts) - Please bring your own lunch for Saturday. 

Location: TBD

For flyer, click here

To register, click here 

City Faith ABCD Training Cancellations/Refund Policy: City Faith registrations cancelled 24 hours before event/training will be issued a 50% refund (of total amount paid). If less than 24 hours notice is provided, no refund will be issued.