Community Survey
When we first moved onto Gurnell Grove as an Eden team, we didn’t have all the answers. We had some ideas and enthusiasm, but we also knew that if we really wanted to be part of the community, we needed to figure things out as we went along.
We didn’t want to assume we knew what the community needed. Instead, we wanted to find out what God was already doing on the estate and look for ways to join in. That meant listening—really listening—to the people who live here.
I’m writing this from the perspective of someone moving into a new community. Maybe you’re doing ministry somewhere you have always lived, or have lived for a long time—either way, I believe it’s worth stopping and listening to our community so that we don’t become engrained in certain ways of thinking or acting.
We wanted to know:
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- Who are the people of peace here?
- What are the needs, hopes, and dreams of the community?
- Where is God already at work?
So, we tried a few different things—some worked brilliantly, some didn’t, and some were just plain awkward! Some things just didn’t work—like when we tried to launch an Alpha Course. After three weeks of completely empty sessions, we had to admit defeat and cancel it. And then, of course, there were the door-knocking surprises—like the time we stepped out of a lift, hit by an overwhelming wave of something foul, and realised a resident had nine cats in their flat. The smell of cat poo clung to the air, and we quickly decided this wasn’t the right door to knock on. Each of these experiences helped us build relationships, gain insight, and shape the future of our ministry.
The Power of a Chalkboard
One of my favourite ways we gathered input was through a big chalkboard. At different pop-up events—whether it was a pancake party, curry night, or barbecue—we would set up a large chalkboard on a stand and invite people to write down what they wanted Gurnell Grove to be and what they would love to see happen here.
This worked brilliantly because:
- It was visual—people could see the ideas stacking up in real time.
- It was interactive—people of all ages got involved.
- It was fun—it didn’t feel like a formal survey.
It was amazing to watch people stop, think, and engage. You’d see one person write, “More activities for kids,” and then another resident would come along and say, “Oh yes, that’s a great idea!” before adding their own thought. It created a real sense of collaboration and helped us see what mattered most to people. More importantly, it got conversations started, which was just as valuable as the feedback itself.
Facing the Dreaded Door Knocking
Now, let’s be honest. The thought of knocking on every single door on the estate felt terrifying at first. Our estate isn’t huge—just under 500 homes—but it still felt like a massive task.
We decided to go for it anyway. And I’m so glad we did.
At first, it was really awkward. We felt unsure how people would react. Sometimes we got blank stares or a polite ‘no thanks’. Other times, we were invited in for a cuppa and had conversations we never expected. But the more we did it, the easier it got. We met so many people—some welcoming, some sceptical, some just curious. And we walked away with stories for life!
Door-knocking wasn’t just about gathering information. It was about introducing ourselves, letting people know why we were here, and showing them we cared. Some of the best moments happened when people recognised us from previous knocks. At first, it was, “Who are you again?” But by the second or third time, we heard, “Oh yeah, you’re that group helping out around here.”
Was it easy? No.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Prayer Walking and Everyday Conversations
Another part of my plan was prayer walking. For the first 100 days, I committed to spending at least one hour a day walking the estate, praying, and listening to God.
I also set myself a challenge: speak to at least two people every day while out walking.
Some days, it was easy. People were out and about, and conversations flowed naturally. Other days, I had to push myself. But over time, these daily encounters built trust. People started recognising me, and small talk led to deeper, more meaningful conversations.
We also spent time as a team praying and worshipping together, sharing what we felt God was saying about the estate. Over time, we started to see a clearer picture of where He was leading us.
The Benefits of Listening Well
Looking back, I can see that taking time to listen before taking action was one of the best decisions we made. It helped us:
- Root ourselves in the community, not just serve from the outside.
- Find key people of peace—the connectors and natural leaders already shaping the estate.
- Avoid assumptions and respond to real needs.
- Lay a foundation of trust that made future ministry easier.
But here’s the truth: we’re still figuring things out.
We’ve made mistakes. We’ve had ideas that didn’t work. We’ve had moments where we thought, “Are we even making a difference?” But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this Listening is a powerful way to love your community.
It opens doors, builds trust, and shows people that their voices matter. And when we slow down to listen, we often find that God has been at work long before we arrived.
So, if you’re starting something new in your community, start by listening well. Try different approaches, don’t be afraid of the awkward moments, and trust that even in the uncertainty, God is already at work.