How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor

July 14, 2009 – 2:34 am

Are you interested in a stimulating read on the subject of ministering to the poor? Justin Taylor featured a new book (set for release this month) yesterday that seeks to correct many of the ills of “mercy ministry.”

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself, by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett (economic professors at Covenant College) seeks to provide answers to the tough questions regarding this type of ministry.

Here’s the cover 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.

When Helping Hurts provides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel.

A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an “asset based” approach rather than a “needs based” approach.

Short term mission efforts are addressed and microenterprise development (MED) is explored.

I am particularly interested to read what suggestions they offer regarding short term mission efforts, as this is a topic discussed often here at MM.

See JT’s review or the book’s page at the Chalmer’s Center or an interview with the authors for a more detailed synopsis.