Social Capital:Giving It Up

Kevin Yoho, DMin

General Presbyter, Newark Presbytery (PCUSA)

A Framework for Missional Effectiveness

Implementing a new way of experiencing and delivering faith in the community

PROJECT

DATE CLIENTNOVEMBER 14, 2007 DR. KEVIN YOHO

SOCIAL CAPITAL:GIVING IT UP

Understanding Social CapitalSocial networks have value

Social capital refers to the collective value of all people in social networks and the benefits from these networks to do things for each other (norms of reciprocity).

Simple Social Capital

It’s not 1st-person, but 2nd-person living

Ensuring your life makes a difference for others

MeYou!

Social Capital

Not just warm and cuddly feelings

Results in a wide variety of benefits that flow from trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation

Creates value for those connected and often for bystanders

ThoughtEvangelism is a process of introducing people to a social networking experience with Jesus Christ

Social capital describes the flow of benefits to others in the continuum of life-experience

Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, etc.

More Thought

God so loved...

God loved the world so much, that he gave his one and only son... Believe; and experience abundant Life!

John 3:16, 10:10

God’s love =God gives Infinite Capitalin Jesus Christ

Diminishing Social Capital Snapshot

Membership Comparatives

SOURCE: THE YEARBOOK OF AMERICAN AND CANADIAN CHURCHES 2005 (NY: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCES)

AOG Nazarene SBC ELCA UMCRCA Episcopal UCC PCUSA

Where Did TheSocial Capital Go?Research of Dr. Robert Putnam, Harvard University, Bowling Alone (2001) and Better Together (2004)

Measured by volunteerism membership in groups

Groups include all voluntary associations such as the PTA, AMA, synagogues, churches, mosques, recreation clubs, political parties, and bowling leagues, etc.

1968 2004

Total Number of GroupsTotal Membership in Groups

GROUPS INCLUDE ALL VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS(ILLUSTRATES COMPARATIVE DATA)

Group Numbers

0

1.25

2.50

3.75

5.00

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2003 2006

Group Trends Presbyterian Church (USA) MembersipAll Other Groups Membership

"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility.

It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.'

Then there are those who see the need and respond.

I consider those people my heroes."

Fred Rogers

Correlation

The membership decline of volunteer associations (such as the church) correlates to their reduced community involvement

Withdrawal of social capital

Reverse the Trend

The data suggests that if we are to reverse this trend, congregations (or any volunteer association) must connect and get involved in the communities they seek to serve.

Putting Social Capital Back

Requires a commitment to deep change

Developing skill sets around contextual intelligence

Direct your energy outward!

We need heroic members.

We need heroic leaders of groups.

We need heroic churches.

All of us need to be heros in our community.

There are no quick fixes.

GET OUTSIDE!

GET OUTSIDE!

Taking new, courageous, and significant steps in adaptive thinking.

Start with two compelling ideas…

Thematic Goal

Every congregation and pastor will commit themselves to faithful ministry:

Wellness

Effectiveness

Achievable PropositionsElders will innovate

Pastors will collaborate

Youth will collaborate

Focus on 800,000 neighbors(not on 8,000 members)

Deliverables

Every congregation will take a look at:

Ministry Assets

Ministry Opportunities

Ministry Capacity

Transformation 24

24 hour Challenge (2 hrs. x 12 mos.)

Take-A-Ways include:

Collaborative learning and sharing

Transformational skill-building

Strategic leadership training

Goal: 100% pastor participation

New Church and Existing Church Development can put social capital back into the community we live in.

PROJECT

DATE CLIENTOCTOBER 17, 2007 EVANGELISM-CHURCH PLANTING

SOCIAL CAPITAL: GIVE IT UP!