Churches Pivoting for Social Impact

Congregations Pivoting For Impact
Ken Crawford & Daryn DeZengotitaWednesday, Sept. 16th, 3:00 p.m. CST
This presentation will discuss some of the innovative ways churches are shifting for the sake of sustainability and social impact.

See below for introductory videos and questions, and the session handout.
Rev. Dr. Ken G. Crawford began working with congregations in 1990 to design, launch and lead social impact work using a model that came to be known as Asset Based Community Development. Ken’s work employs a coaching approach with those who are motivated to experience change and transformation in their lives, organizations and communities. In the last 15 years that has involved helping congregations pivot to deploy their underutilized spaces for mission - becoming hubs of community engagement, innovation and impact. He lives near Dallas, Texas with his wife, where they serve in a variety of community social impact spaces. They have two adult children and two cats.

Daryn DeZengotita is a Coworking Evangelist and Hospitality is her superpower. At Table Coworking, she consults with churches to transform underutilized space into vibrant community centers. As part of Harvard Divinity School's Innovative Community Leaders, she is exploring new forms of joyful belonging and gathering. Daryn holds a Journalism degree from Texas A&M. She and her wife, Celia, live in the Dallas suburbs with an enormous puppy and a frightened cat.

To PIVOT is to change the direction of energy, force or intention.
SOCIAL IMPACT entails moving beyond charity to deep engagement,
mutuality, and shared personal and systemic transformation.

PRE-SESSION WORK:Here are some video links that help tell the story of congregational pivoting:

Central Christian Church: The Church on Mission

Central Westside: A Community Center Model



Oakland Peace Center & FCC Oakland



White Rock UMC and The Mix Coworking:
Leveraging the Campus || Engaging the Community







Questions for Consideration. Please comment in the RESPONSE window below:

1. Are you currently involved in a congregational pivot or have you been in the past? What are/were your primary motivations?
2. What aspects of the “church of today and yesterday” (old wineskins) do you most appreciate that would be hardest for you to let go in a pivot toward the “church of tomorrow”?
3. What have you seen as the biggest opportunities as churches pivot for social impact? 
4. What have been the greatest obstacles? What effective strategies have you seen for working around these?