I added a couple of documents. A. I added a new story to the Parables page. That is "Valleyview and River City". It is based on a story used by CHE (Community Health Evangelism/Education). B. I put a "book in the rough" on the Articles page. It is called "Thoughts on Wholistic Ministry in …
Category: Community Development
The role of missions in wholistic transformation of communities.
Perspectives in Relief and Development
There has been a lot of concerns about Christian missions and its role in RELIEF and in DEVELOPMENT. Much of this is in the area of perception. Here is some variety with regard to perspective regarding these forms of social ministry. 1. Perspectives regarding the relationship between these forms of social ministry and "spiritual" ministry …
Community Development and Nehemiah
I wrote an article a few years ago called "Wholistic Ministry and Nehemiah." One of the central points was that we often think of development backwards. I pointed out that Nehemiah worked to create change in a specific order.It is strange that when people think of Nehemiah, they focus on "THE WALL". While it is …
Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part 2)
<Continued> B. Challenges Associated with the Philippines 1. Cultural Factors -"Utang na loob". This term literally means "inside debt". This is an implied obligation one experiences after receiving a gift or help. Since community development is about interdependency, "utang na loob" tends to prevent this interdependency. Instead, it tends to promote dependency ("rice Christian" effect) …
Continue reading Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part 2)
Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part I)
This is a brief summary of issues brought up from interviews with community development specialists and church leaders in the Philippines in 2007. I have seen nothing to suggest that things have changed. Community Development, I believe, is a critical component for the church and church members in being salt and light to the world. …
Continue reading Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part I)
Christ and Government?
Richard Niebuhr is well-known for his 5 possible relationships between Christ and Culture (from the book "Christ and Culture" (1951)). While these may not be a complete set of choices, but they do provide a good list of options. -Christ against Culture -Christ above Culture -Christ transforming Culture -Christ and Culture in Paradox -Christ of …