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Neighborhood Mapping: How to Make Your Church Invaluable to the Community
If your church relocated, would your neighbors notice? Would there be an outcry for you to stay? Whether you are a church planter, pastor, community activist, missionary, college ministry leader, or simply a Christ-follower looking to impact your community, this resource is for you. Neighborhood Mapping by Dr. John Fuder is an engaging, practical tool available to assist workers in the field to better understand the communities they are involved with. It awakens the neighborhood explorer with effective methodology for "exegeting" their neighborhood, offering surveys and samples to lead them in that process. Dr. Fuder calls believers to shift the focus from inside the church building to those who live in the community. He offers here an easy-to-use resource for those who care about ministry to “the least of these.”
- GenresLeadershipChristianity
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
30 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 13, 2016
Finished Book 16 of 2015! Dr. John Fuder writes a compelling an every, very practical book on how to research the neighborhood to see how to better reach our neighbors with the gospel of Christ. He writes about the what, why, who, when, where, and how of doing community analysis. This is huge for me since our church plant will take some of this approach on the following months, I will spare you the how-to’s since that would probably give away the whole book. Instead, I’ll leave you with a few quotes I enjoyed reading:
Introduction:
Quote: Inner city missionary Mark Van Houten wrote, “No matter how adept an exegete a theologian is… it is all for naught if he does not also understand his contemporary audience well enough to lead them to a correct understanding.” -13
In order for God’s people to be an active presence in their neighboring communities and be engaged with those needs around them, they have to be increasingly aware of that audience: their hopes, their dreams, and their needs. -14
Community analysis is the methodology and vehicle to rediscover our missional mandate in the church: to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel. -15
We must help our people see that “neighbor love” is an important part of following Jesus, and that moves us to find ways to know our neighbors in order to minister to and serve them well. -15
Chapter 1
Our neighborhoods are in a continual state of change. -17
Chapter 2: The "What"
Q: What is a community analysis?
A: Community analysis, or neighborhood mapping, is a practical approach of learning how to understand and read your neighborhood in order to effectively proclaim and demonstrate the gospel. -25
Good news is more than a message; it’s a lifestyle. - 29
When we properly diagnose the needs, we are on our way to earning the right to speak the gospel into our neighbors’ lives. -29
Chapter 3: The “Why"
Q: Why perform community analysis?
A: Because community analysis-knowing who the people are and their specific needs-is God’s heart. -35
Rather than creating more programs and events that move us toward busyness or meeting our own needs, we wait on the Lord to give us a love for the community and its people. -36
Chapter 4: The “Who"
Q: Who performs community analysis?
A: Community analysis is made effective by those whose hearts have been broken with compassion and who desire to share the good news of Christ. -47
In order to be for a community, you must first be with a community. -47
Compassion doesn’t come from afar; it’s nurtured and grown when it’s with those people who most desperately need it. -47
There are people there who can teach us. When we go in our weakness, by asking, “Would you help me understand?” we see God’s strength at work. -51
The people we meet have a lot to teach us before we can share the gospel with them. Too often we go into a community with an agenda instead of asking to discover who these people are we are trying to reach. -52
When we go to the streets as a learner, and are willing to be vulnerable, we give dignity to the people we are learning from. By listening, we give value to them. -52
God did not leave us to do the work alone. He is faithful and He goes ahead of us to lead the way for us. We can trust that God will sustain as He directs. -53
Any of us who were raised in a monocultural environment, for instance, won’t fully understand the depth of what prejudice really looks like, to prejudge another person, or presume a certain amount of favor over another culture - whether it’s ethnically or socioeconomically - runs deep. -54
Quote: "He who knows but one culture knows no culture." -Dr. David Augsburger -54
We don’t just arrive at compassion; we grow it over time and experiences. -54
Our convictions come out of our commitments, We are committed to our values, and our convictions will flow out of our commitments. -56
Too often the salt is in places where there is no rotten meat and the light is in places where there’s already light. -57
Chapter 5. The Where
Q: Where do we do community analysis?
A: Where God has placed you and your church/ministry. -60
When it comes to place, community analysis is best achieved by those who have made the long term commitment to stay where they have been called. -61
One suggestion is to ask those you have built relationships with who are already working in your community what they think the five greatest areas of feet need are. Ask yourself what things the people of the community, Christian and non-Christian, resent that have been done in the name of Christianity and what they may be more open to. What are the cultural forces at work? How do they perceive Christianity? What has god used in the past to bless the community? -62
Our lives are deeply impacted by the places we live in. Nehemiah’s burden was inflamed by the needs of those who were in Jerusalem, but also by walls that were broken down. -63
When Nehemiah heard the report about Jerusalem, he interceded on their behalf. Rater than try to rush in to fix it, he prayed with tears for many days. Has God given you tears for your city? -63
Notice how he prayed over the people and the place, confessing his own sinfulness and lack of obedience. He took on a posture of dependency before God, asking God alone to intervene. This posture is crucial for us in ministry, because the needs are so great. -64
In the midst of that prayer he knew he needed to engage the community by talking to the most influential person in the area: the king. And what was the final thing he asked for? That he would be me with compassion. He took personal responsibility for the needs of the neighborhood. He became the answer to his own prayer. -64
What Nehemiah did after his prayer was just as important as what he did during the prayer. He prayed, and in praying he was moved to action. He asked the king to let him go and see the wall. And the king agreed. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer. We must never let prayer for action be our excuse for inaction. -65
Notice they went both to the resourced and under-sourced places. Our efforts in the community must reach to both of these audiences. -66
Would it ever be that we, as Christ-followers, would be embarrassed by our lack of activity in broken places? -67
The best way to engage the community is to engage that community. Just as we have to get other Christians on board, we must get the community on board as well. When they see that we’re committed to the work, to seeking the welfare and peace, they will become more engaged and wiling to get involved. -68
When we begin to actively engage the community and seek its welfare, we will encounter deep, dark opposition. This is difficult, messy work to rebuild a place. But God calls us to keep our eyes focused on the work, the ministry, and to stay committed. -69
We can become so engaged in doing the work that we don’t pause to acknowledge and rejoice in God’s blessing of the work that we’ve already accomplished. But it’s important to celebrate the small victories, to remember God’s faithfulness. -70
The nations are all around us and our work is a clear testimony to the power of God. They see the change, and God is made famous in their midst. -70
Chapter 6: The "When"
Q: When is the time for community analysis?
A: Once we are willing to take the posture of a servant and humble ourselves to learn from and listen to our Lord and the needs of the community.
You can move into a neighborhood, set up church, and start to preach at people - and some success may come. But to get to true kingdom life change, you must have willingness to let your heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God. -76
If the gospel does not remain the “main thing” we risk losing eternal kingdom impact in our humanitarian efforts. -77
We need to come to the realization that god has gone ahead of us and that those who are already in the community, who are struggling greatly under some go the needs there, are intricately deployed to be part of the solution. -79
Chapter 7: The “How"
Q: How do we do community analysis?
A: We do community analysis by networking service providers, finding neighborhood insiders, and identifying the needs of the broader community.
When we begin community analysis, we must choose wisely those who will be involved. Some of our choces have to do with gifting or talent. Some of these may be raw and need to be trained, but the are diamonds in the rough, so to speak. They have potential and are willing to have “on-the-job” learning. -87
Leadership here is the key. We really are no stronger than our team. -87
Evangelicals have often missed opportunities for ministry because we miss the significance of place. God’s heart beats for both. Obviously, we’re after the people-their souls are all remains. But each of us is a byproduct of the place we live. -89
It takes time to analyze and get to know the depth of a neighborhood. Forty days to do neighborhood mapping is actually fairly minimal. -90
Some folks will say, “It’s never been done this way before”-the seven famous last words of the church! We fear what we don’t understand, and so much of culture isn’t wrong, it’s just different. This may be a deep, long “learn” to get our people to understand. -91
As you actively listed with the intention of truly learning, you will discover aspects to the community that you may never have realized. But also, and so importantly, you give value to that person and to all the people in that community. -97
And may the name of God be famous as a result of your endeavor. -100
Introduction:
Quote: Inner city missionary Mark Van Houten wrote, “No matter how adept an exegete a theologian is… it is all for naught if he does not also understand his contemporary audience well enough to lead them to a correct understanding.” -13
In order for God’s people to be an active presence in their neighboring communities and be engaged with those needs around them, they have to be increasingly aware of that audience: their hopes, their dreams, and their needs. -14
Community analysis is the methodology and vehicle to rediscover our missional mandate in the church: to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel. -15
We must help our people see that “neighbor love” is an important part of following Jesus, and that moves us to find ways to know our neighbors in order to minister to and serve them well. -15
Chapter 1
Our neighborhoods are in a continual state of change. -17
Chapter 2: The "What"
Q: What is a community analysis?
A: Community analysis, or neighborhood mapping, is a practical approach of learning how to understand and read your neighborhood in order to effectively proclaim and demonstrate the gospel. -25
Good news is more than a message; it’s a lifestyle. - 29
When we properly diagnose the needs, we are on our way to earning the right to speak the gospel into our neighbors’ lives. -29
Chapter 3: The “Why"
Q: Why perform community analysis?
A: Because community analysis-knowing who the people are and their specific needs-is God’s heart. -35
Rather than creating more programs and events that move us toward busyness or meeting our own needs, we wait on the Lord to give us a love for the community and its people. -36
Chapter 4: The “Who"
Q: Who performs community analysis?
A: Community analysis is made effective by those whose hearts have been broken with compassion and who desire to share the good news of Christ. -47
In order to be for a community, you must first be with a community. -47
Compassion doesn’t come from afar; it’s nurtured and grown when it’s with those people who most desperately need it. -47
There are people there who can teach us. When we go in our weakness, by asking, “Would you help me understand?” we see God’s strength at work. -51
The people we meet have a lot to teach us before we can share the gospel with them. Too often we go into a community with an agenda instead of asking to discover who these people are we are trying to reach. -52
When we go to the streets as a learner, and are willing to be vulnerable, we give dignity to the people we are learning from. By listening, we give value to them. -52
God did not leave us to do the work alone. He is faithful and He goes ahead of us to lead the way for us. We can trust that God will sustain as He directs. -53
Any of us who were raised in a monocultural environment, for instance, won’t fully understand the depth of what prejudice really looks like, to prejudge another person, or presume a certain amount of favor over another culture - whether it’s ethnically or socioeconomically - runs deep. -54
Quote: "He who knows but one culture knows no culture." -Dr. David Augsburger -54
We don’t just arrive at compassion; we grow it over time and experiences. -54
Our convictions come out of our commitments, We are committed to our values, and our convictions will flow out of our commitments. -56
Too often the salt is in places where there is no rotten meat and the light is in places where there’s already light. -57
Chapter 5. The Where
Q: Where do we do community analysis?
A: Where God has placed you and your church/ministry. -60
When it comes to place, community analysis is best achieved by those who have made the long term commitment to stay where they have been called. -61
One suggestion is to ask those you have built relationships with who are already working in your community what they think the five greatest areas of feet need are. Ask yourself what things the people of the community, Christian and non-Christian, resent that have been done in the name of Christianity and what they may be more open to. What are the cultural forces at work? How do they perceive Christianity? What has god used in the past to bless the community? -62
Our lives are deeply impacted by the places we live in. Nehemiah’s burden was inflamed by the needs of those who were in Jerusalem, but also by walls that were broken down. -63
When Nehemiah heard the report about Jerusalem, he interceded on their behalf. Rater than try to rush in to fix it, he prayed with tears for many days. Has God given you tears for your city? -63
Notice how he prayed over the people and the place, confessing his own sinfulness and lack of obedience. He took on a posture of dependency before God, asking God alone to intervene. This posture is crucial for us in ministry, because the needs are so great. -64
In the midst of that prayer he knew he needed to engage the community by talking to the most influential person in the area: the king. And what was the final thing he asked for? That he would be me with compassion. He took personal responsibility for the needs of the neighborhood. He became the answer to his own prayer. -64
What Nehemiah did after his prayer was just as important as what he did during the prayer. He prayed, and in praying he was moved to action. He asked the king to let him go and see the wall. And the king agreed. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer. We must never let prayer for action be our excuse for inaction. -65
Notice they went both to the resourced and under-sourced places. Our efforts in the community must reach to both of these audiences. -66
Would it ever be that we, as Christ-followers, would be embarrassed by our lack of activity in broken places? -67
The best way to engage the community is to engage that community. Just as we have to get other Christians on board, we must get the community on board as well. When they see that we’re committed to the work, to seeking the welfare and peace, they will become more engaged and wiling to get involved. -68
When we begin to actively engage the community and seek its welfare, we will encounter deep, dark opposition. This is difficult, messy work to rebuild a place. But God calls us to keep our eyes focused on the work, the ministry, and to stay committed. -69
We can become so engaged in doing the work that we don’t pause to acknowledge and rejoice in God’s blessing of the work that we’ve already accomplished. But it’s important to celebrate the small victories, to remember God’s faithfulness. -70
The nations are all around us and our work is a clear testimony to the power of God. They see the change, and God is made famous in their midst. -70
Chapter 6: The "When"
Q: When is the time for community analysis?
A: Once we are willing to take the posture of a servant and humble ourselves to learn from and listen to our Lord and the needs of the community.
You can move into a neighborhood, set up church, and start to preach at people - and some success may come. But to get to true kingdom life change, you must have willingness to let your heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God. -76
If the gospel does not remain the “main thing” we risk losing eternal kingdom impact in our humanitarian efforts. -77
We need to come to the realization that god has gone ahead of us and that those who are already in the community, who are struggling greatly under some go the needs there, are intricately deployed to be part of the solution. -79
Chapter 7: The “How"
Q: How do we do community analysis?
A: We do community analysis by networking service providers, finding neighborhood insiders, and identifying the needs of the broader community.
When we begin community analysis, we must choose wisely those who will be involved. Some of our choces have to do with gifting or talent. Some of these may be raw and need to be trained, but the are diamonds in the rough, so to speak. They have potential and are willing to have “on-the-job” learning. -87
Leadership here is the key. We really are no stronger than our team. -87
Evangelicals have often missed opportunities for ministry because we miss the significance of place. God’s heart beats for both. Obviously, we’re after the people-their souls are all remains. But each of us is a byproduct of the place we live. -89
It takes time to analyze and get to know the depth of a neighborhood. Forty days to do neighborhood mapping is actually fairly minimal. -90
Some folks will say, “It’s never been done this way before”-the seven famous last words of the church! We fear what we don’t understand, and so much of culture isn’t wrong, it’s just different. This may be a deep, long “learn” to get our people to understand. -91
As you actively listed with the intention of truly learning, you will discover aspects to the community that you may never have realized. But also, and so importantly, you give value to that person and to all the people in that community. -97
And may the name of God be famous as a result of your endeavor. -100
May 26, 2018
Simple, clear, practical and invigorating. How do we think about the communities of people around our churches? How do we make gospel in-roads in these communities? The steps to answering those questions are to be found first in getting to know the people in the communities—both personally and generally. Fuder’s book is a practical guide to that effort. It is short and impassioned, all the while maintaining a proper focus on the centrality of the gospel in the midst of practical ministry with a dependence on God to make the work effective. Any strategy he proposes is fully grounded in those two central emphases.
March 25, 2021
Might be misleading on my rating here, let me explain. Community analysis done with a commitment to gospel-centered community building by a church-that’s this book’s focus. Very similar strategy to John Perkins and CCDA- all these books scream at me “this is how you should do ministry”. I might be crazy or just plain wrong but I feel like this is the closest thing to honoring Jesus as a church that I could dream up. My rating of 5*s doesn’t really say- this book has great stories or amazing writing. This one is because I think it’s very practical on how to actually seek to be a blessing in a community as a church.
June 9, 2025
This had been on my reading list for a long time. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone desiring to refine their churches ministry efforts in a specific community. There are valuable sample resources in the appendix for use! One of my favorite books on this topic.
December 28, 2024
Not to be confused with another concept referred to as "spiritual mapping," this book is more about community analysis for the purpose of churches having a meaningful social and spiritual impact on a community. This is a very practical book born out the author's passion for today's churches to be intentional about becoming relevant in the neighbourhoods God has placed them. Although the book is fairly repetitive, it may be that that is what many of us readers need in order for the unconventional message of this book to get through to us!
February 27, 2014
As a former graduate student who took this course under Dr. Fuder, I recommend this book without hesitation. I have read a preview copy and it contains everything I learned in class. The principles in each chapter are very practical and effective in charting a course to serve your neighborhood. The appendices are very valuable resources. I am simply thrilled the class content is now in book form to be a blessing to churches and ministries around the world.
June 18, 2014
Very practical and a quick read. The main point is how to exegete your neighborhood. It doesn't not give tips in how to develop a ministry for them. That is for other books. The recommendations are lots of prayer, formal research and informal through building relationships with community insiders. The appendixes are worth the price of the book alone.
January 28, 2017
Solid book overall. The exegesis occasionally left something to be desired; I think he stretched the Scripture a bit to make his application. That being said, his application was spot on. Definitely should go on every church planter's To-Read List.
December 6, 2018
Practical!
This book addresses a need that is often ignored, the need for those ministering to know the neighborhood context of their churches. Fuder provides practical tools at the end of the book for accomplishing this purpose after explaining why this is necessary.
This book addresses a need that is often ignored, the need for those ministering to know the neighborhood context of their churches. Fuder provides practical tools at the end of the book for accomplishing this purpose after explaining why this is necessary.
July 30, 2014
Practical. I became motivated to pay specific attention in specific ways to what is happening in our community. Love the work of this man!
January 4, 2015
John Fuder is a much needed prophet for today's church. This is a very practical and easily read book. I highly recommend it to individuals, leaders, and churches.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews