LEAD. April 2020 | Page 44

your community with the same dedication,
patience, and sacrifice that a missionary does
in a foreign nation. What is your community’s
history? What do key stakeholders say they
need? What and where are microcultures in
your city?
• Invest money and volunteers in things that
are important to the city and its leadership.
If you don’t have room in your budget, make
room. Focus your creative energy, finances,
manpower, and prayers on the “God-void”
places where darkness seems prevalent and
people are suffering.
• Be a learner, not a dictator. Recently,
the governor of Colorado came to Aurora to
address the region’s mayors, and his office
asked me to give the invocation. I ended up at
the head table where several mayors quizzed
me about our urban efforts. They then shared
how disappointed they were with young
pastors who were so focused on social justice
that they had become antagonistic toward city
leaders. These young pastors had passion, but
no appreciation for partnership. Listening goes
a lot further toward creating partnership than
do passionate words spoken in ignorance or
arrogance.
Today, Highpoint’s main campus sanctuary
is full, and we’ve gone from worrying that the
church won’t survive, to thriving financially
and planting the Highpoint @ Colfax campus.
Incidentally, our office downtown is right
across the street from the MLK Library, where
the journey of influence began for us. We’ve
learned that influence can’t be given—it must
be earned. Then it becomes a sacred trust.
I believe God has a similar journey for your
congregation as you listen to His heart for your
community.
Adapted from CityServe. Copyright © 2019 by Dave
Donaldson. Published by Salubris Resources, Springfield,
Missouri. Used by Permission.
Gene Roncone is the lead pastor of Highpoint Church in Aurora,
Colorado, a network of Christian ministries and outreaches with
multiple locations across the city. He is actively involved in the local
community, serving on several city boards and committees focused
on problem solving. He has received Aurora’s Humanitarian of the Year
award and commendation from Colorado’s House of Representatives
for his efforts. He also hosts several national podcasts and has authored
three books.
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