Patchwork Nation is a demographic/geographic breakdown of the nation into 12 different kinds of community. Using counties as our building blocks we have identified different kinds of places – everything from rural agricultural Tractor Country to the wealthy suburban Monied Burbs – which we use to examine how various kinds of communities experience culture, the economy and politics. The site has interactive features. Take a look here.
In general, churches should consider starting new churches in counties that are of the same type (color) as they are currently in or realize that they will need to adjust their approach to the new context.
Now for my context, noting Campus and Careers because our church is in a college town and focuses on reaching the “Next Generation”. Also noting “Boom Towns“ and Monied ‘Burbs’ to identify areas to consider church starts. We’ve already started a church in S, P, D, J, and W counties… in 2013 we plan on B and L. That leaves D and P. D for Dubuque hasn’t been strongly considered because of the strength of a similar church there and because the city didn’t grow between 2000 and 2010.
After investigating D and P, We’ll begin to look outside the state to regional “boom towns“.
BoomTowns: Fast growing communities with rapidly diversifying populations
And regional “campus and careers“. Besides these maps we’ll also consider existing churches in the area and other criteria before making a final decision.
Campus and Careers: Cities and towns with young, educated populations; more secular and Democratic than other American communities
Also see: How We Determined the Priority Cities in Iowa for Church Planting
Any comments? What would you add to this analysis?
