57 Small City Housing • Respondents becomes real. What are some of the structural and relational barriers to do this? In my experience, the most common barriers are born from learning something new and the fear that may cause. Knitting a few hats is one thing. Sitting next to a person without a home and asking how they are feeling is quite another. A good translator (usually a human service agency) can help to explore how this experience might look, how to maneuver through uncomfortable spaces, how to best serve those who need the support on their terms, and to temper expectations. The best experience comes when congregations are willing to learn before doing, have strong direction from the pulpit, and are open to evolution. It helps when they do it alongside an human service provider or when the pastor themselves are qualified. I have a friend who has a D.Div. and is an LSW. She is amazing, we need more like her. This would be a great spot to lift up the network. All of the above works best when different entities are supporting each other in reaching a common goal. For instance, there was a gap in Allentown where nowhere was open on Sundays to receive a meal or stay warm after the shelters close at 7am. Allentown Collaborative Ministries did an asset inventory, were subjected to my peer pressure and created Neighborhood House – open each Sunday during the winter shelter season, they offer meals, activities, fellowship, the opportunity to worship and a bagged lunch. Conference staff trained all the volunteers and helped to set up an environment where guests would be successful. They have become the lynchpin of weekend services. What is the background of faith-based development? If you asked Pastor Lindsey Clifton, she would tell you that the black church community is decades ahead in faithbased development. A lot of what feels new to mainline, white protestant churches has actually been learned from the black community. I suppose that speaks to the different ways people experience faith and why they go to church at all. Black communities have been taking care of each other to survive far longer and far more successfully than the churches I visit today. As they now face the grief that comes along with traditions going extinct, they reach for something bigger to hold on to. Like the broken down, falling apart church in your play.
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