According to John McKnight's 1989 article, "Why 'Servanthood' is Bad," many of our attempts to help the poor often do more harm than good. As far as this article goes it is insightful, even brilliant. McKnight asserts that instead of delivering services to meet the very real needs of the poor, we should begin with identifying existing community leaders and existing community assets/strengths. Build community self-sufficiency on these internal assets, not outside experts.
Asset building community development is a great development strategy, but to be comprehensive, it must be combined with a release the oppressed strategy also. Prolonged oppression, redesigned systems of oppression, traumatize (PTSD) people, do enormous damage to individuals, families, communities and cultures. So Christians must end systems of oppression by doing Sabbatical/Jubilee justice. McKnight does not delve into oppression justice issues.
Back to McKnight's insights:
"Here are five rules to protect yourself from being the agent of the devil in the middle of a church: Saul Alinsky referred to the first rule as the 'iron rule': Never do for others what they can do for themselves.
"Second, find another's gifts, contributions, and capacities. Use them. Give them a place in the community." Build on existing assets.
"Third, whenever a service is proposed, fight to get it converted into income. Don't support services. Insist that what poor people need is income." Then they can move from income to ownership.
"Fourth, develop hospitality over hospice and hospitals."
And an implied fifth. Relocate in the area of need; live among the poor.
I would add a sixth. Become a wise, humble, biblically informed partner with the poor community you have chosen. The poor need partners for the long haul more than they need services.
No comments:
Post a Comment