CommonLife

CommonLife trains, equips, and supports individuals and small groups in their companionship of an individual or family throughout and beyond their transition from poverty. CommonLife serves four main populations: homeless/near homeless, refugee, post-incarcerated, and at-risk youth.

Please contact us for more information

Introduction to CommonLife

Did you know that during the same period the USA increased federal anti-poverty spending by 42% (Brian Riedl, The Heritage Foundation), six million more of our neighbors in the US became poor (US Census Bureau, 2006)? Despite significant increases in resources, those in need seem to be getting less of what they really need.

Something is amiss in our war on poverty, and as a result more and more lives are becoming broken. A new strategy must be imagined, a strategy offering hope and renewal to the “least of these” who struggle for life outside our own front doors.

The good news is a new strategy may be “closer to home” than you realize – a strategy focused not on incorporating a new program, but mobilizing a new people.

Programs providing food, clothing, shelter, and medical services are essential in aiding those in need; however, more must be done. Largely overlooked is the need for community support.

The single greatest cause of sustained poverty in our cities is [not a result from a physical deficit, but from] isolation.”            – Dr. Robert Lupton

A person’s success in transitioning from poverty hinges on his/her possession of committed, authentic, and purposed relationships. It is only within relationships of this kind that the love, encouragement, and support one requires for life growth are found. Unfortunately, many of the relationships that those in poverty know are either broken, destruction, or purely service-oriented.

The poor need people.

There are many disciples of Jesus who are compelled to follow God’s heart in service among poor but have been unable to find a way to make a lasting difference in an authentic, life-giving way. As a result, the involvement of what could be the most effective people group in this relational-based affront on poverty, the church, has waned.

Often due to the “distance service” constraints of most programs for the poor, relationships between program participants and volunteers are minimal at best. This “disconnect” often leads to a decline in motivation, the termination of one’s volunteer participation, and even a resignation in serving the poor altogether. Consequently, the poor lose out of much needed relationships, as well as an opportunity to address the spiritual rooting of poverty. Not only this, the church loses out on Jesus’ invitation to serve him through those in need (Matthew 25).

The church needs the poor.

Enter CommonLife. To address these two essential needs (relationships and church investment), CommonLife has been uniquely designed to mobilize a relational, sustainable and highly untapped alternative to programs – the body of Christ. No program times. No program walls. Just people in relationship with Jesus engaging in relationships with others. Just people like you.

CommonLife’s mission is to equip individuals, families, and small groups to effectively care for and empower those exiting poverty through the development of Christ-centered, supportive networks. In this way, CommonLife’s strategy’s effectiveness is in providing an opportunity for…

Affronting both the nature (relationships) and root (spirituality) of poverty. – Bryant Myers, Walking With the Poor

…The body of Christ engaging in committed relationships with those suffering in poverty. These relationships will make an impact in the war against poverty like nothing else can.

How It Works: A Three Step Process in forming a Christ-centered, supportive network

  1. A “Companion” (or relationally-committed mentor and discipler) is identified and trained in developing a healthy, transformational relationship with an individual or family in poverty (in Omaha this has included those who are homeless or near-homeless, transitioning from incarceration, resettling as a refugee, or considered as an at-risk youth). Generally these relationships between the Companion and individual/family in need are formed through the Companion’s short-term, but relationally-driven, involvement within a local service agency (see below for a list of service opportunity ideas).
  2. Once a relationship is formed between the Companion and individual/family in need, the Companion approaches his/her church small-group about inviting that individual/family into the small-group community. Prior to the individual/family joining the group, the Companion utilizes his/her CommonLife training to coach that community in sensitively and effectively sharing in the holistic care of their new member. Continued training and education is also offered to the Companion and small-group  on an ongoing basis.
  3. As the issues pertaining to the lives of the individual/family are encountered that prove to be too complex for the Companion and small-group to effective address, the Companion has resource to a number of professional or proficient outlets within the CommonLife structure. Two of these most immediate include a “Companion Coordinator” (local or distance coach for Companions), as well as an advisory committee composed of local community leaders  skilled in dealing with an array of issues common to impoverished individuals/families including:
    • Housing
    • Job Training
    • Legal Consultation
    • Refugee Resettlement
    • Post-incarceration Transition
    • Counseling (Psychological, Addiction, Family, Spiritual, etc)

Forming Relationships

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Though at times relationships occur organically, the structure that CommonLife offers adds the elements of intentionality, accountability, and equipping (as we often need training to care for someone with needs we might never have experienced ourselves).

inCOMMON Community Development’s ministries and partners provide perfect opportunities to develop friendships. Our prayer is to see those friendships develop into committed relationships where lives are mutually transformed and renewed. In other words, what began as a friendship has now become the establishment of a healthy, Christ-centered “family.”

These opportunities include:

Check out inCOMMON’s Volunteer Page for more ideas!