Every church belongs to one community or the other. Any church that hopes to achieve giant stride growth must ensure that its presence, influence and impact on a community cannot be ignored.

As a matter of fact a church can be so popular that it is used as a reference point for description or even a bus-stop. It is not too good that when you seek direction from some members of a community to a particular church they are clueless because the church in question is merely occupying ground space without also occupying mind and heart space, this means they have little to no impact or influence on the community in any way.
The church has underestimated and restricted its purpose in a community. The church is not meant to be a gathering of liabilities but of assets.

One major way the church can solidify its marks on a community is through vigorous community development services. Jesus came to serve and so churches ought to do the same.

What then is Community Development Service generally and with relation to the church? In very simple words Community Development Service are the services rendered by a church for the social, economic development and general well-being of a given community.

The type of Community Development Service the church should be involved in must cut across the physical, social and spiritual well-being of the community. Everywhere Jesus stepped His foot experienced the miraculous both mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. Community Development Service is beyond the welfare department which majorly caters for church members. It is targeted deliberately to the community. As a matter of truth, it is God’s desire, He said in His word that the earnest expectation of the creatures are waiting for the manifestation on the sons of God.
God wants our good works to be seen so that men can give Him glory, if we do good works in church alone how will those outside the church be able to see our works? Community Development Service is doing the good work. There are and will always be physical and spiritual needs of every community whether in developed or developing countries.

The word of God tells us that because of Joseph, Potiphar’s household was blessed. Therefore this can also imply that because of the presence of a church in a particular community the community will be blessed. So look around your community and see what is lacking or limited and do something about it. See how your church becomes a positive talk of the community and how beneficiaries of your Community Development Services begins to flood your church services in their numbers.

Examples of spiritual and physical Community Development Service include organizing crusades, outreaches, praying for the community, free or very affordable medical checkups or training workshop, giving out clothes or food items, providing waste basket for the community, organizing weekly, monthly or yearly sanitation exercises. The list is endless. Let the community know that your been in their vicinity is for their good by your actions, and you will capture their hearts.

Question for thought:

How does the members of your community view your church?
Is your church occupying space or making impact?
What have your church done in your community for the community?
Is your church a nuisance or a blessing to the community?
Is your church ignored or reckoned with?
Is your Community Development Service impactful and effective enough?
What percentage of your community are members of your church?
Has your community development been meeting more needs or wants?
What percentage of the community benefits from your Community Development Services?
Does your Community Development Services have wide publicity?