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As we mention quite often, the church and the state should be partners, not opponents. I recently met Pastor Philip Herman of Highland Park Community Church in Des Moines, Iowa, who is an incredible example of solving big problems in partnership with government. In this interview, we discussed his work in the Highland Park neighborhood and how his efforts (and those of his church) (1) drew the interest of and led to partnerships with city and state leaders and (2) are dramatically impacting the Highland Park neighborhood.

Key Takeaways:

• This fact: the problem in many cities is not resources, it it access. Philip explains this.
• A description of the significant problems in the Highland Park neighborhood.
• Philip spent 25 years ministering in Chicago and has served 5 years in Des Moines. He gives a great benchmark/question for analyzing your current job/ministry position in light of God’s calling on your life.
• Church leadership lessons – he is leading the merger of a traditionally white church and a traditionally black church with a vision for a multi-ethnic (and not just mutli-racial congregation.) He explains.
• The Herman Scale – how many keys to neighborhood buildings are on our key ring?
• His partnerships with the city of Des Moines and growing influence in the city and state.
• The importance of giving dignity, not just resources.
• When [Christianity] tells you to feed the hungry, it doesn’t give you lessons in cookery. If you want learn that, you must go the cook. -C.S. Lewis