 This paper proposes four lenses through which to understand the community health systems, CHS programmatic, relational, collective action, and critical lenses. These lenses are defined by their purpose and perspective, ranging from social justice to instrumental goals. The programmatic lens focuses on the implementation of policies and programs. The relational lens emphasizes relationships between stakeholders. The collective action lens highlights collective action among stakeholders, and the critical lens examines power dynamics within the CHS. Each lens has its own strengths and limitations, and when combined, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the CHS. This article was authored by Helen Schneider, Jill Olivier, Marsha Orgel, and others.