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SEED TO OAKS<br />
The Top Questions to Ask and Why<br />
The types of questions you ask, and how you ask<br />
them, are very important when completing your<br />
survey. The most effective questions will be stated<br />
warmly and positively. No one wants to share their<br />
concerns to a stranger knocking on their door.<br />
However, with the right questions, you can build<br />
trust quickly and collect the information you need<br />
to better understand the community. We<br />
recommend simply asking these four questions:<br />
1. How long have you lived in this community?<br />
This gives clues to how far back the resident’s<br />
experience has been in the community.<br />
2. What do you like best about this<br />
community? What makes this a good place to<br />
live? This gives clues to where God is already at<br />
work in the community.<br />
3. What are one or two changes you would like to<br />
see that could make life better in this<br />
community? This gives clues to what are the<br />
greatest felt needs.<br />
4. Do you have any ideas about ways a caring<br />
church could make a difference in<br />
this neighborhood? Or can you share a story<br />
about a time when people in<br />
this neighborhood helped one another out? This<br />
gives clues to acceptable pathways for service.<br />
Breaking Through the Fear<br />
Barrier<br />
Don't forget that it's normal. When you are fearful or<br />
insecure, remind yourself that you're simply feeling what<br />
most other people experience. Fear is a normal feeling,<br />
and we all experience it at times.<br />
Feel the Fear—But Do It Anyway. The best way to get over<br />
fear is to walk directly into it. It takes courage but we know<br />
God is for us! Walking into fear is never as bad as you think<br />
it’s going to be.<br />
Be Willing to Stretch Beyond Your Comfort Zone. Most<br />
people avoid discomfort. If you want to get to the next<br />
level of loving your community, you’ve got to be<br />
comfortable being uncomfortable—just for a short time.<br />
Short-term discomfort for long-term Kingdom<br />
advancement will please God.<br />
Take Decisive Action. You’ve got to take action. Serving<br />
your community starts with a decision. Once you make a<br />
decision to serve, it’s time to commit to doing whatever it<br />
takes to make it happen.<br />
It’s about saying YES to what’s possible for you, your<br />
church, and your community.<br />
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