Create West Virginia

We've often blogged about the role that colleges and universities play in sparking creative community growth. But there is another category of institution that unfortunately often gets overlooked in terms of its potential and actual impact on community health: churches and other bodies of faith.

If you consider the "pillars" of creative community growth, churches have historically played a major role. Sometimes this role has been positive, sometimes not so much. For example, in the area of diversity and inclusion, churches were often at the forefront of the civil rights movement. Regrettably, some churches were also on the forefront of opposition to integration and civil rights.

Many churches are now embracing their broader role in building strong communities. In addition to preaching the Gospel they focus on serving those in need, teaching life and job skills such as using computers, and even initiating gardening or arts projects that bring people together. Some are even getting involved in environmental issues, taking God's request to be good stewards of the Earth seriously.

Churches will play a very strategic role on the major civil rights issue of our day, which is the emotionally-charged issue of gay rights and specifically gay marriage.

How are churches playing a role in building your community? We'd love to hear some examples that we can share at the upcoming Create WV 2009 Conference October 18-20 in Huntington.