Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

416 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

11. What evidence exists to affirm or deny the community’s spiritual readiness and openness to the gospel? 12. What opportunities exist for Christian care-givers to cooperate in their outreach and people-helping ministries within the community? 13. How many Christian organizations are based and operate out of the community? What are they and what needs or problems do they seek to address? Who are the leaders of these various organizations? XIV. What Is the Community’s Awareness of the Larger Community of Which it Is a Part? 1. To what degree are the citizens aware or interested and informed of local, state, national or international events? 2. What issues of neighboring communities are of central importance for the residence of your community? 3. Comparatively speaking, what percentage of the city’s overall resources and goods are used by the residents within the community? 4. What is the city’s overall perception of the life and potential of the community? 5. What kind of partnerships and alliances exist between political and financial leaders of this community and leaders of other communities citywide? 6. What issues are of special weight or importance in the community’s involvement in city, state, and national issues? 7. How have city policies directly influenced or shaped the ongoing life of the community in the last few years? 8. Who are the key liaisons or representatives of local or state governments assigned to the community? Where are city and state offices located within the community? 9. What organizations and institutions promote involvement in citizenship issues, political action, and education about national and world affairs? 10. What interest groups from outside the community have fought for the allegiance of the residents within the community? How have these interest groups been able to shape and influence community opinion?