Churches and individual Christians sometimes make false assumptions about the causes of poverty; the resulting strategies can do considerable harm. This practical book presents an effective, holistic approach.With more than 225,000 copies sold, *When Helping Hurts* is a paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation and ministry to...
Churches and individual Christians sometimes make false assumptions about the causes of poverty; the resulting strategies can do considerable harm. This practical book presents an effective, holistic approach.
With more than 225,000 copies sold, *When Helping Hurts* is a paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation and ministry to those in need. Emphasizing the poverty of both heart and society, this book exposes the need that every person has and how it can be filled. The reader is brought to understand that poverty is much more than simply a lack of financial or material resources and that it takes much more than donations and handouts to solve the problem of poverty.
While this book exposes past and current development efforts that churches have engaged in which unintentionally undermine the people they're trying to help, its central point is to provide proven strategies that challenge Christians to help the poor empower themselves. Focusing on both North American and Majority World contexts, *When Helping Hurts* catalyzes the idea that sustainable change for people living in poverty comes not from the outside-in, but from the inside-out. 
Churches and individual Christians sometimes make false assumptions about the causes of poverty; the resulting strategies can do considerable harm. This practical book presents an effective, holistic approach.With more than 225,000 copies sold, *When Helping Hurts* is a paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation and ministry to...
Churches and individual Christians sometimes make false assumptions about the causes of poverty; the resulting strategies can do considerable harm. This practical book presents an effective, holistic approach.
With more than 225,000 copies sold, *When Helping Hurts* is a paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation and ministry to those in need. Emphasizing the poverty of both heart and society, this book exposes the need that every person has and how it can be filled. The reader is brought to understand that poverty is much more than simply a lack of financial or material resources and that it takes much more than donations and handouts to solve the problem of poverty.
While this book exposes past and current development efforts that churches have engaged in which unintentionally undermine the people they're trying to help, its central point is to provide proven strategies that challenge Christians to help the poor empower themselves. Focusing on both North American and Majority World contexts, *When Helping Hurts* catalyzes the idea that sustainable change for people living in poverty comes not from the outside-in, but from the inside-out. 
 
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Withouth Hurting the Poor and Yourself$22.99
This book is wonderfully insightful, blending ministry stories, theological insight and years of practical experience. The authors share how people and ministries over the years have unintendingly caused harm to people by approaching poverty with material mindsets or what might otherwise be called relief. This approach isn't wrong in and of it's self but it is not holistic and isn't forward looking providing the necessary help appropriate for each situation. The book presents a theology of poverty the is rooted in the fall and thus we all experience poverty and to truly alleviate poverty requires more than relieving there material situation but requires them being made right with God. Thanks for this book, it is much appreciated.
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Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
8 years ago
A humbling and transforming book - read this before your next mission
This book breaks down the materialistic mindset which so many western countries unknowingly bring to the missions field with statements about those we seek to serve like """"if only they had better quality resources"""" or """"all they need is to be trained better"""" or """"if we give them new tools it will make a difference"""". With probing questions and self-reflection that our ego and about our ability to """"fix"""" other people is actually part of the problem, this book wonderfully brings a realisation that material poverty is only part of the battle and that we have a bigger goal of walking beside those we seek to serve, recognising that we have just as much to learn from them about humility and reliance on God for our daily bread as they have a need of dignity and support. This book breaks down many unhelpful assumptions and pursues a restoration of relationships, self-identity as a creation of inherent worth and value to God and reconciling our lives in relation to the rest of creation and the resources we have been given to steward. This is a must read before your next mission.
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Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
9 years ago
Required reading
This book delves deep into the multifaceted issue of poverty and how to help. I particularly liked the way they defined poverty from a Biblical starting point, and exposed that our western 'material' mindset of poverty is only one aspect of poverty- often not the biggest issue that needs addressing. \\r\\nAbsolutely required reading for anyone thinking about overseas mission or thinking about how to engage better with serving their local community.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11 years ago
life changing
This book radically changed my outlook on poverty and overseas aid. I am passionate about training women to break the cycle of poverty and this book has caused me to rethink my motives and actions. It should be read by everyone embarking on an overseas mission trip so that their mind may be shaped and they may be put to use by God for the people they are serving. It helped me to see when aid was needed and when development was needed. and to see some of the negative impacts of our actions in poorer countries.
