What does it really mean for a church to know and serve its community? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, Lucas Pinckard—proudly identifying as the "world's okayest pastor"—sits down with Dr. Chris Respass to unpack one of the most practical and often overlooked principles of effective ministry: executing the community. Building on ideas introduced by Mark Clifton, Lucas and Chris explore how easy it is for pastors and church leaders to become immersed in church culture while unintentionally losing touch with the people right outside their doors. Church growth books, conferences, and email newsletters often assume a metropolitan, walkable, high-density context—but most churches don't fit that mold. When leaders fail to account for their unique setting, even well-intentioned strategies can miss the mark. Executing the community means paying close attention to where God has placed your church. It's understanding demographics like age, ethnicity, income, education, and family structure, but it also goes deeper—recognizing housing trends, school locations, emerging needs, and even who isn't represented in the community. Chris explains how ministry effectiveness increases when churches stop forcing models that don't fit and start responding to what's actually happening around them. Throughout the episode, the hosts share real-life examples of how executing the community shapes ministry decisions. From deciding whether a church should be an "oasis" for insiders or an "outpost" for the kingdom, to choosing not to duplicate services already provided by schools or local organizations, the conversation emphasizes stewardship, humility, and collaboration. Rather than reinventing the wheel, healthy churches partner with community groups already doing good work and ask a simple but powerful question: How can we help? The discussion also highlights how understanding the community impacts everything from outreach to preaching. Chris shares how adapting sermon illustrations, references, and communication styles helped bridge generational gaps within the congregation. Small touches—cultural references, shared experiences, or even a familiar TV theme song—can go a long way in helping people feel seen, understood, and connected to one another. Lucas and Chris also address the pastoral responsibility of shepherding individuals and families by staying informed about real challenges in the community. Whether it's substance abuse, mental health struggles, parenting concerns, or aging-related issues, churches can create safe spaces for conversations, education, and care. Often, meeting practical needs opens doors for deeper trust, discipleship, and gospel conversations. At the heart of the episode is a call to intentional presence. Executing the community isn't about chasing trends or responding to every headline—it's about prayerfully paying attention, using church resources wisely, and showing up consistently. When churches do this well, they not only serve their neighbors more effectively, they become places people trust and invite others into. If you're a pastor, ministry leader, or church volunteer wondering how to make your church more connected to its surroundings, this episode offers practical wisdom, honest reflection, and a compelling reminder: the mission field is often right across the street. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com