Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor [Paperback]

Robert D. Lupton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2007

The urban landscape is changing and, as a result, urban ministries are at a crossroads. If the Church is to be an effective agent of compassion and justice, Robert Lupton notes, we must change our mission strategies. In this compelling book, Lupton asks the tough questions about service providing and community building to help ministries enhance their effectiveness. What are the dilemmas that caring people encounter to faithfully carry out the teachings of Scripture and become personally involved with "the least of these?" What are some possible alternatives to the ways we have traditionally attempted to care for the poor? How do people, programs and neighborhoods move towards reciprocal, interdependent relationships? To effect these types of changes will require new skill sets and resources, but the possibilities for good are great.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The urban landscape is changing and, as a result, urban ministries are at a crossroads. If the Church is to be an effective agent of compassion and justice, we must change our mission strategies. In this compelling book, Lupton asks tough questions about service providing and community building to help us enhance our effectiveness. Among the questions: What dilemmas do caring people encounter to faithfully carry out the teachings of Scripture and become personally involved with "the least of these?" What are some possible alternatives to the ways we have traditionally attempted to care for the poor? How do people, programs and neighborhoods move toward reciprocal, interdependent relationships? To effect these types of changes will require new skill sets and resources, but the possibilities for good are great.

About the Author

ROBERT D. LUPTON has invested more than 34 years in inner city Atlanta. He is a Christian community developer, an entrepreneur who brings together communities of resource with communities of need. Through Family Consultation Service Urban Ministries, which he directs, he has developed three mixed-income subdivisions, organized two multiracial congregations, started many businesses, created housing for hundreds of families and initiated a wide variety of human services. He earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia. He speaks at conferences and churches across the nation, and consults with similar missions. His wife, Peggy, died in 2005.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Regal (April 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830743790
• ISBN-13: 978-0830743797
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful tools for faith-inspired community development, September 6, 2007

By 

Mary Nelson (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (Paperback)

This book is an updated, contemporary look at transforming low income
communities from a faith-based based perspective. It deals with down to
earth topics such as gentrification,moving from charity to development,
transforming services into self help,economically viable enterprises.
Bob Lupton, the author, speaks personally from experience,
so the book rings with reality, yet is hopeful and inspiring.
Easy to read, but want to have around to share with others, particular
chapters for particular situations. It is a helpful handbook of the
Christian Community Developmet Association.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!, May 9, 2007

By 

Benjamin A. Wills (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (Paperback)

This is a must read for anyone who is doing urban ministry or interested in doing urban ministry or any christian in general. Bob lays it out in his usual fashion, poignant and practical. This book will not just stir you with emotion but it will lead you to compassion and a new way of thinking towards the poor. He provides tons of practical examples from his numerous years of service that could easily be done over and over again today. Please get this and please read it cover to cover!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Approach to Tackling the Problem of Urban Poverty, July 12, 2007

By 

Beth Penick (Kirksey, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (Paperback)

The author outlines a well-developed, proven, Christian approach to solving the problem of urban poverty by revitalization of local communities and neighborhoods through the direct involvement of local churches.

Numerous insights regarding the flaws of modern entitlement programs - public, parochial, and private are detailed as well as a discussion of the advantages of "development" (teach a man to fish) vs. "betterment" (give a man a fish) programs.