EBOOK
Who Moved My Neighborhood?
Leading Congregations Through Gentrification and Economic Change
Mark E. Strong(0)
About
Neighborhoods are moving. While neighborhood changes can mean exciting and fresh opportunities for some, the experience can be vastly different for long-time residents. The rapid movement of people means changes in employment, economics, landscape, demographics, and the feel of a community. Churches often experience the painful impact of these shifts. Depending on how a church navigates through these changes determines if it will either live, die, or be reduced to a tragic existence on life support.
Mark Strong knows the obstacles connected with gentrification and the challenges it brings. As a pastor, he led his church through its own moved neighborhood in Portland. Strong shares the frustrations, surprises, and joys that his church experienced as their neighborhood shifted, and he provides the roadmap that his own church used to navigate the change. Who Moved My Neighborhood? gives insight to churches that need to heal from the wounds of gentrification and economic change and revamp their mission amidst an uncertain future. Using the discussion guide included in the book, churches can discuss their own moved neighborhood and explore the unique next steps that God has for their community. There is hope and a future for congregations that face a moved neighborhood.
Mark Strong knows the obstacles connected with gentrification and the challenges it brings. As a pastor, he led his church through its own moved neighborhood in Portland. Strong shares the frustrations, surprises, and joys that his church experienced as their neighborhood shifted, and he provides the roadmap that his own church used to navigate the change. Who Moved My Neighborhood? gives insight to churches that need to heal from the wounds of gentrification and economic change and revamp their mission amidst an uncertain future. Using the discussion guide included in the book, churches can discuss their own moved neighborhood and explore the unique next steps that God has for their community. There is hope and a future for congregations that face a moved neighborhood.
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Reviews
"Dr. Mark Strong is an example of strength and leadership to me and my church community, even serving on our board of directors, and as is his bent, he's produced a book to help strengthen and lead pastors and churches through significant changes. Who Moved My Neighborhood? acknowledges the pain and sorrow that can come with a changing neighborhood, provides keys for processing through it, and off
Judah Smith, lead pastor of Churchome, Kirkland, Washington
"As someone who witnessed the slow gentrification process around Life Change Church, and as someone who heard the deep soul-searching conversations the pastors and leaders had, I urge every church leader to read this book. If this isn't happening to you, it's surely happening to a church nearby, and if this is happening to you, Pastor Strong's practical leadership principles and warm spiritual wis
MaryKate Morse, author and executive dean, Portland Seminary
"My friend Mark Strong and his folks at Life Change Church have navigated the struggles of gentrification here in Portland, Oregon, and have done so with grace and prophetic vision. Who Moved My Neighborhood? offers practical and faithful insights for churches struggling with the inevitable challenges that develop as our communities change. Healing, hope, and great impact are possible!"
Kevin Palau, president of the Luis Palau Association