A new workbook soon to be released by the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute titled “Asset-Based Strategies for Faith Communities” presents a collection of stories from Christian churches and organizations throughout the United States. Each describes a particular faith-based initiative aimed at revitalizing a congregation or its surrounding community, and several stories include activities designed to spur economic development.

Like other groups doing asset-based community development, these congregations focus on the rich array of resources available within their communities rather than on deficiencies that might also be present. According to the ABCD model, effective community building requires understanding and mobilizing the skills and talents of local people; local, voluntary, citizen associations; local institutions; available land and physical property; and the local economy. By bringing together this rich variety of stories of congregations engaged in community-building work, authors Susan Rans and Hilary Altman hope to inspire other congregations to use the asset-based development model in their own local work.

The workbook includes contact information to allow interested readers to network with the featured organizations and congregations. An appendix includes materials used by the featured Christian organizations, as well as materials from congregations and organizations of other faiths.

The workbook will be available this summer from ACTA Publications in Chicago (773-271-1030).