The poor in spirit
Posted by Micah
6 September, 2011
I've always thought it's a cop-out for Christian development workers working in poor communities to say, "Well, even if these people still can't feed themselves, at least now they've prayed the sinner's prayer." But lately I've been thinking it's more than a cop-out-it's just wrong. Many Christian aid and development agencies, including those involved with the Micah Challenge coalition seek to address the needs of a child living in poverty across many different areas of his or her life. We call this approach holistic child development: programs that strive to meet not only a child's physical needs but their spiritual, economic, social and emotional needs as well. The solutions to some of those needs are clear, even though achieving them might not be simple. An economic need requires money, employment and skills. Physical needs are met through food, water and healthcare. I get a bit stuck on meeting spiritual needs though, I admit. Isn't that a pastor's job, or the Sunday school teacher? Or better yet-the parents of the child? Better still, what if we wait until… read more
