What it Means to be Member-driven

Project Home … Department of Indian Work … Faithful Hospitality … these signature Interfaith Action programs each demonstrate an important and distinctive feature: They began as a conversation among our member communities of faith who had their eyes open to the needs right outside their front doors. The origins of these programs represent the collective wisdom of community, of people listening and responding.

That’s what it means to be member-driven.

And this is why, at Interfaith Action, we listen to our members so we know what is happening in their houses of worship and nearby neighborhoods. Their ideas spawn new programs, new ways of working, and new perspectives to build economic stability and mobility. In this way, Interfaith Action helps fulfill the mission and vision of its member faith communities.

We listen to our members when they say they want to plug into effective action. Some, like Falcon Heights UCC and Saint Paul UCC, are organizing regular volunteers to stock shelves and help shoppers at the Department of Indian Work food shelf. Others, like Mt. Zion, St. Timothy’s Lutheran, Roseville Lutheran, and Fairmont Avenue United Methodist, have opened their doors to serve as shelter for Faithful Hospitality guests. Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal, and Pilgrim Lutheran regularly bring teams to prepare and serve food at Project Home at the Provincial House.

To our members we say this: We are listening. We want to hear your ideas. Let’s talk!