Communities that are rebuilding must have the support of those outside. Many groups form, but may only fragment efforts as they overlap others, competing for scarce resources of time, talent, money when cooperation would be more productive. To some it is an extended family. To others it is simply a place to stop in as they move about the country. The West, especially European North America, has developed differently, to where the individual is expected to stand or fall on one's lone efforts.
Churches are in transition, forced to the edge of society.
We need to understand the difference between secular and religious actions. Is this not true also of churches with dwindling congregations in one area, while a few miles away a suburban congregation must build, build, build. Perhaps we need to step back, and redefine our whole system. We are to accept the definition, not define it ourselves, then we are to implement only as we are able to understand that will. The church should not consist of small insular groups, or be solely task oriented.