Part A: Church Based Community DevelopmentIn his book, Generous Justice, Tim Keller states: “All I know is, if I don’t care about the poor, if my church doesn’t care about the poor, that’s evil.” Jesse Johnson, writing an article for The Cripplegate Blog, has a somewhat different perspective. He writes: “. . .the fact of […]

It is noticeable in Niddrie that there are many housing association groups and various other social agencies, largely staffed by outsiders, some of whom impose their ideas and ideals on to the community without much prior discussion. It is often taken for granted that these ‘professionals’know what we need. Likewise, many church plants, churches and […]

This is a snapshot of my own story. 20 years ago, I was living in a bus shelter, cold and hungry. I was lying to my family, my friends and myself. I had hit rock bottom and couldn't see any way out. I write this thankful to God for the great changes in my life. […]

This is a key area of gospel ministry in housing schemes. Many local churches completely devolve their responsibility in this area to Bible Colleges which I think can be, in some cases, to the detriment of the church and the person being ‘trained.’  Certainly, in housing schemes, we need to have a clearly defined, multi-faceted […]

This is a key area of gospel ministry in housing schemes. Many local churches completely devolve their responsibility in this area to Bible Colleges which I think can be, in some cases, to the detriment of the church and the person being ‘trained.’  Certainly, in housing schemes, we need to have a clearly defined, multi-faceted […]

Robert Lupton would call this a “redistribution of resources.” His logic being (albeit from a community development perspective). Christians should live in the area they are trying to reach. Christians should work toward a ministry of reconciliation at both a “Godward” and community level. Communities are then, hopefully, going to see a redistribution of community […]

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making […]

If we really want to make an impact for Christ in the many housing schemes up and down our nation, then we must be prepared to move into the area. This is the golden rule. There are no exceptions for our leaders. Ministry will fail dismally, particularly if the leaders are not part of the […]

I bought this book with no little excitement given the list of theological luminaries that have recently been recommending it as a must read. Ron Sider, for instance, calls it: “probably the best book on how to do holistic community development.” There is no doubt that it is comprehensive in its treatment of the issues, […]

One of the questions I am routinely asked by (mainly) middle class, educated people who are interested in this type of work is: “Can I do it even though I don’t have the life experience or cultural background?” My answer is (almost always) a resounding, “Yes!” We don’t disqualify people from planting in a particular context […]