Resurrecting the Deacon lead Mutual Care Network of the Early Church to build healthier, more resilient communities where we can all thrive
Theory of Change:
The concept of a self-actualized community is nothing new. The Bible begins for example with a garden flourishing as a socioecological community and ends with one in the form of a thriving, diverse city. It’s no wonder that churches have long worked to address the hierarchy of needs. However, despite religious organizations in communities, neither may be thriving. As America becomes less religious, faith communities still have the potential to use their social capital, adept community organizing, and extensive experience of working in multi-sector and stakeholder partnerships to be a major driver in a fully networked, self-actualized community. A community working equitably, reciprocally, collaboratively, and collectively to address it’s Socioecological System of Health by designing, developing, implementing, and sustaining the structures of health that contribute to the social determinants of health. An evidence and community based participatory, longitudinal study, pilot is currently being developed.
Narrative Description:
Logic Model Outline:
Next Steps:
Currently hosting preliminary conversations with multi-sector, multi-stakeholder community partners and supporters of the initiative in order to further develop the concept, the associated research study, and in order to build capacity, and begin asset mapping. All are welcome to connect, participate, learn, and contribute in whatever way is meaningful…
Inviting Conversation & Collaboration: