We generally use the term "Playing God" to describe a bad thing. But let's try to think of some ways that are a bit more positive. Being a parent (or a pet owner) and leading a government involves a bit of playing God--- embracing some of the roles that God has, but on a smaller …
Continue reading Can You Learn Something Good From “Playing God”?
Years ago when I was looking into a topic for my dissertation, I wanted to study, utilizing grounded theory, HOLISTIC CHURCH-INITIATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, in the Philippines. In the end, I dropped it. I switched to studying Christian medical missions events here in the Philippines. The main reason for this was that I had trouble finding …
This story was used by the Mendozas of Holistic Community Development and Initiatives (HCDI) in its Training of Trainers program for CHE (Community Health Education). I don't really know who came up with the story first. I modified it just a bit. ------------------------------------- There was a small mountain village we can call “Valleyview.” The mountain …
<div style="margin-bottom:5px"> <strong> <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/bmunson3/challenges-in-doing-churchinitiated-christian-development-in-the-philippines" title="Challenges in Doing Church-Initiated Christian Development in the Philippines " target="_blank">Challenges in Doing Church-Initiated Christian Development in the Philippines </a> </strong> from <strong><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/bmunson3" target="_blank">Bob Munson</a></strong> </div> I was originally thinking about doing my dissertation on this topic. Then I realized that there were so few churches in the Philippines …
Continue reading Challenges to Church-Initiated Community Development in the Philippines
This is the last section on Medical Mission Events. This is based on my dissertation. The focus of the dissertation was the use of medical mission events in the Philippines for long-term impact in a community by a local church. As such, the traditional medical mission is inadequate. Traditional medical missions typically have little long-term …
Continue reading Medical Missions Events in the Philippines, Part V
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 …
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 …
<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)
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)