We had a meeting of our church's mercy ministry team last night to discuss ideas and plans for the future. We've been trying to reach out to our community in a way that doesn't water down the gospel or ignore the tangible needs that exist. We also want to minister in a way that doesn't create and perpetuate dependency but teaches responsibility. Plus there's a very real need to learn how to connect with folks who may be ethnically different in a place where many churches still divide along racial lines.
To help us get a better understanding of this subject, these books were suggested:
Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton
Ministries of Mercy by Timothy Keller
Generous Justice by Timothy Keller
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
These won't be easy reads, but I'm looking forward to learning more as we seek to extend the mercy that we've received.
To help us get a better understanding of this subject, these books were suggested:
Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton
Ministries of Mercy by Timothy Keller
Generous Justice by Timothy Keller
When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
These won't be easy reads, but I'm looking forward to learning more as we seek to extend the mercy that we've received.
Love love love Keller's book! I wrote a review of it for a seminary class a couple of years ago. You might also take a look at the companion resource called "Resources for Deacons: Love Expressed Through Mercy Ministries." (http://www.monergismbooks.com/Resources-for-Deacons-Love-Expressed-Through-Mercy-Ministries-p-17009.html) It's not so much a reader as it is a guide/resource for the more nuts and bolts issues. I highly recommend it! Mercy ministry is my heart as well as my degree concentration; I will be in prayer for you and your team as you labor by His grace and for His glory. Blessings to you all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers and the link. I will pass it on to the team leader. We're still pretty new at this so any suggestions are appreciated.
DeletePersis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for these recommendations. I recently finished George Grant's The Micah Mandate and found it to be very balanced. It's one of my favorite reads and left me encouraged even though I can't go to Africa or do some other "big" act of service. Grant's love for the church shines through, too, which is especially encouraging in an age when it's being abandoned so much, especially in the name of ministering to the poor, the homeless, the orphans, etc. One of the books I read before The Micah Mandate had this flavor, and they canceled Sunday service one week so they could help at the homeless shelter. Church and being in the Word and cultivating a strong prayer life weren't the focus, and yet, when those things are nurtured, then ministering to others is a natural outflow.
Ok. I'll shut up now. :)
I'll have to check our your recommendation, Trisha. I don't agree with the idea that the discipleship/church is superfluous in our need to reach the lost. Lord willing, God will keep us balanced in this area.
DeleteOh, I knew you wouldn't think that. :) It just seems to be the trend in the very limited books I've read on social issues and Christians. Looking forward to your sharing what you're learning, and may God richly bless those efforts to minister to the hurting with the help and hope of the Gospel.
DeleteI have Keller's "Generous Justice" in my stack of books to read (one day, soon!). I just recently added "When Helping Hurts" to my wishlist. This is a topic I want to learn more about, for nearly all of the same reasons you listed here.
ReplyDelete