Muddy Church in the Community
Wherever we do Muddy Church it is based on Asset Based Community Development.... looking at what we do have, in every sense, rather than focussing on what we don't.
Principles for ABCD
Most communities address social and economic problems with only a small amount of their total capacity. Much of the community capacity is not used and is needed! This is the challenge and opportunity of community engagement. Everyone in a community has something to offer. There is no one we don’t need.
-
Everyone has gifts
-
Relationships build a community
-
Citizens at the centre
-
Leaders involve others as active members of the community
-
People care about something
-
Motivation to act
-
Listening conversation
-
Ask, Ask, Ask
-
Asking questions rather than giving answers invites stronger participation.
-
A citizen-centred “Inside-Out” organization is the key to community engagement
-
Institutions have reached their limits in problem-solving
-
Institutions as servants
Adapted from ‘What is Asset Based Community Development’
http://www.neighborhoodtransformation.net/pdfs/What_%20is_Asset_Based_Community_Development.pdf
aroundus
You may already know exactly where your Muddy Church is going to be but there is a wonderful opportunity in engaging more in the pathways and neighbourhoods.
​
​
Community Profiles can be done in lots of ways but its fun to look at where you are.
​
You could map out - where are the boundaries of your area, what makes the limits or edges?
​
​
You could picture it - go for a walk around and take photos every 2 minutes, no posing or setting up just random photos. When you look through the images what do you notice? (Don't include people!)
​
​
You could listen - interview different people from your community, the postal delivery person, a shopkeeper, different generations.
​
​
You could taste it - what are the different flavours available in your community and what do they tell you about the people who live there?
thinkabout
Who owns the land - you will need to get permission to use any land, even if it is a public park or space you should contact the land owners or Local Authority.
Is the location accessible - who will you be excluding from this place? Are pathways, routes, spaces suitable for all people? How can you travel to the space? Is there a cost for using the space?
What facilities are available (toilets, parking, food)?
What risks are on or in the space - litter, dog poo, sharp objects, holes? How can you manage or prevent danger from these?
If the space is open to the public are there extra risks to safety, safeguarding or being a nuisance?
