The Over-Preached, Short-Served, & Under-Discipled

The least, the last, and the lost – I’ve heard many a preacher describe the urban poor this way. I describe them as the over-preached, short-served, and under-discipled. Let me explain what I mean.

In the late 90’s on the west side of Chicago I had the unenviable task of preaching in the waiting room of a food pantry. It was unenviable not because of the preaching or because it was in a food pantry. The issue was that the star of the show was the free groceries! Also, at least a third of the people were in a mind-altered state brought about by drugs or alcohol. To say it was a “rough room” is an understatement. Yet preach I did and to my amazement there were always confessions at the altar call.

Confession is good for the soul but I made little, if any, long-term differences preaching in that room. Yes, the gospel was preached. Yes, we prayed with those who came in. Yes, we fed them. But did any of those confessions become conversions? I have no idea. Confessions often become conversions within the context of long term, local church discipleship.

The long-term part of this equation is often overlooked concerning poor communities. Most do ministry there short term, which leads to its citizens being short-served. Short-term volunteers have an intense and constructive impact on the community if organized properly. We need tutors for kids and artisans for dilapidated buildings. As a former urban pastor, my church benefitted greatly from the thousands of hours invested by such volunteers. However, short-term missions is not the answer. The solution to the problems found in our communities require “staying power.” You can find an army to do something short-term. When talking long term you are left with a few marines – the few and the proud. We call them World Impact Associates.

In my area of mobilization, my World Impact team spent the last quarter revamping our Associate program. We believe it is the most effective way for us to expand into new cities. The primary aspect we consider is partnership. We ask, “Is this someone the community would benefit from if we increased their ministry capacity?” Another aspect of a potential Associate we consider is leadership experience. We focus on leaders who are proven. We aim to resource him or her for however long it takes to bring about community transformation. It is these indigenous partnerships that separate us from the pack.

World Impact has been committed to resourcing indigenous urban leaders in communities of poverty for over forty years. The longevity and focused commitment has caused us to stand alone in landscape of urban ministries. We have made finding and funding associates a priority. Will you join us

Read more from Alvin Sanders.