Group Seeks to Answer a Higher Calling : Congregation Community Organization Is Using Political Clout for Common Good

Picture leaders of tens of thousands of churchgoers in Orange County lobbying officials of various cities about their concern, and the conclusion might be that the dividing line between church and state has been blurred, or crossed. Fortunately that is not true where the Orange County Congregation Community Organization is concerned.

The organization has developed into a group with obvious political muscle since its formation nearly a decade ago. But unlike elements of the “religious right,” it has not polarized communities by emphasizing dogma and beliefs. Instead, it has used the shared values of its members to work for the common good in cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, and to lobby the leaders of those cities to battle gangs and drugs.

In pressing their secular concerns, the organization’s members must be ready for debate and criticism. They are, after all, like any other citizens advancing their causes. Elected officials properly have evaluated proposals from the group, funded those they found deserving, rejected others considered too expensive.

The 17 churches with 50,000 members said to make up the organization have won deserved victories by listening to their constituents--which is what politicians should do. Organizers drafted a four-part youth action plan for Santa Ana after sending surveys to more than 10,000 families. They knocked on doors, dialed telephones, asked churchgoers their opinions. And when the time came to present the plan to the mayor and schools superintendent, the organization turned out 1,500 people.

In Anaheim last year, the group convened more than 50 community meetings and a survey that netted more than 3,000 responses to help shape an ambitious plan for after-school programs for youths, an outreach counselor for gang members, and expanding recreation programs. The mayor attended another of the organization’s meetings with an impressive turnout, 350 people.

Two words often used by group leaders are cooperation and partnership. They are words worth repeating by all community groups, especially in increasingly tough times for Orange County. Volunteers who care about their neighborhood, city and county will be more important than ever. So will proposing solutions rather than merely complaining, and helping to carry out those solutions.

People of different faiths can disagree on beliefs, but the values that bring them to churches and temples can do much to help improve their communities.