Fostering Belonging: Jonathan Massimi Shares Stories of Abundance and Reciprocity (Encore Presentation)

Welcome to another enriching episode of “To Be snd Do,” hosted by Dr. Philip Amerson where the stories and exchanges that nurture real belonging come alive. In our episode ” we dive deep into the world of community building, spirituality, and the intersection where personal faith translates into meaningful action. This week’s special guest, Jonathan Massimi, joins us from Kitchener, Ontario—a vibrant crossroads of Anabaptist heritage and Jonathan’s own background as an Italian Anglican priest.

Jonathan is the director of Civic Bloom, a social enterprise actively nurturing community engagement and flourishing. Through his unique perspective—blending neighborhood activism with spiritual formation—Jonathan illustrates how asset-based community development can inspire lasting, positive change both within and beyond faith communities. Listeners are taken on his journey from reading John McKnight’s influential work, “The Abundant Community,” to forming a personal mentorship with McKnight himself, whose legacy and curiosity continue to ripple through Jonathan’s practice and purpose.

Here are a few key takeaways from this thought-provoking conversation:

1. The Power of Asset-Based Community Development:

Jonathan shares how focusing on the unique gifts and assets within a community unlocks avenues for growth and belonging. Drawing from his church-planting experiences, he underscores how celebrating abundance—rather than dwelling on scarcity—changes everything.

2. Spiritual Formation and Community Building Go Hand-in-Hand:

As an Anglican priest, Jonathan reflects on liturgy and Eucharist not just as rituals, but as formative community practices. He likens the Eucharist to a gift exchange, symbolizing abundance and reciprocity, shaping participants to “taste God in the world” and recognize everyday opportunities for connection.

3. The Legacy of John McKnight and Curiosity as Community Practice:

Jonathan recounts his regular conversations with the late John McKnight, whose work in asset-based community development emphasized generous curiosity and connection over prescriptive solutions. This relational approach fosters networks where practitioners support and learn from one another.

4. Institutions, Faith, and Healthy Skepticism:

Drawing upon Ivan Illich’s influence on McKnight, Jonathan explores a “healthy suspicion of institutions.” Keeping institutions accountable and grounded in community realities ensures they serve rather than dominate.

Whether you’re a community organizer, faith leader, or someone passionate about belonging, this episode invites you to reflect on how your beliefs translate into action, and how honoring abundance can transform both congregations and neighborhoods.

For more insights and to connect, visit belongingexchange.org.

Join us next time as we continue our journey into nurturing vibrant, interconnected communities—one relationship at a time.