When Helping Hurts How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself

by Corbett, Steve; Fikkert, Brian; Perkins, John; Platt, David

• ISBN13: 9780802457066
• ISBN10: 0802457061
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-20
• Publisher: Moody Publishers

Summary

Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. Don't let this happen to you, your ministry or ministries you help fund! A must read for anyonewho works with the poor or in missions, When Helping Hurtsprovides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel. "e;Initial thoughts"e; at the beginning of chapters and "e;reflection questions and excercises"e; at the end of chapters assist greatly in learning and applying the material. A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an "e;asset based"e; approach rather than a "e;needs based"e; approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and economic development strategies appropriate for North American and international contexts are presented, including microenterprise development. Now with a new preface, a new foreword, and a new chapter to assist in the next steps of applying the book's principles to your situation, When Helping Hurtsis a new classic!

Author Biography

STEVE CORBETT is the Community Development Specialist for the Chalmers Center for Economic Development and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College. Previously, Steve worked for Food for the Hungry International as the Regional Director for Central And South America and as Director of Staff Training. Steve has a B.A. from covenant College and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. BRIAN FIKKERT is an Associate Professor of Economics at Covenant College and the Founder and Executive Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. Brian received a Ph.D. in Economics with highest honors from Yale University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Dordt College.

Table of Contents

PrefaceOpening ExcerciseIntroductionPart 1: Foundational Concepts for Helping Without HurtingChapter 1: Why Did Jesus Come to Earth'Chapter 2: What's the Problem'Chapter 3: Are We There Yet'Part 2: General Principles for Helping Without HurtingChapter 4: Not All Poverty Is Created EqualChapter 5: Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, and Their AssetsChapter 6: McDevelopment: Over 2.5 Billion People NOT ServedPart 3: Practical Strategies for Helping Without HurtingChapter 7: Doing Short-Term Missions Without Doing Long-Term HarmChapter 8: Yes, In Your BackyardChapter 9: And to the Ends of the EarthChapter 10: What's Next'Concluding Remarks