Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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!

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.

All charity is good, right? My church is charitable in our approach...isn't that enough?

Bob Lupton demonstrates, from personal experience and past failures, that good intentions are no longer enough. Actually, as he shares, truly helping people is very challenging. However, unless we use our minds, in addition to our hearts, we might actually perpetuate the problems we are trying to solve with our acts of of compassion.

Targeted at church leaders involved in urban ministry, but relevant for all, this book examines the status quo and is a thoughtful encouragement to think critically about the way in which we help. Pragmatically, it is a quick read, but packed with profound insights. Easy to read in one sitting...and I guarantee you will view "helping the poor" differently after finishing it.

Chris Horst

This book is written from a Christian perspective, but is far from your typical guilt trip on helping the poor. It is written from the vantage point of twenty five years of experience. The writer shares stories of interventions that worked well and other interventions that had unintended consequences. Anyone who is concerned about the poor and finding sustainable ways to help should read this book. Anyone considering "helping the poor" by giving away food or clothing or Christmas gifts should read this book before doing so. Anyone considering opening a business in an impoverished area should read this book. Too often we do things intending to help that in reality only salve our conscience and perpetuate the problems. This book will help you avoid many mistakes that have occurred in the past. You will find practical suggestions that will have a lasting impact and protect the dignity of those you intend to help.

This book has a great deal of wisdom about charity and community development in the life of a Christian. Much of it is composed of things I already knew from much more tedious reading or life experience but these insights are packaged winsomely and easily understood and digested by a broad audience, especially those less familiar with social justice, community development, etc. The chapters are short, the book is thin, and you will not come across many things so profitable that are its equal in ease. You won't be sorry you read it!

Bob Lupton articulates much of what we've experienced and feel about ministry to the poor. A study of this has been a great small group exercise for one of our cell groups. I've also bought it for others in ministry with us.

The past 40+ years has taught us that Lyndon Johnson's Great Society program did relatively little to really help the poor in our nation. We now have a legacy of old run down housing complexes that have become little more than havens for drug users. Unfortunately, except for relatively few isolated instances, the church has done no better in helping the poor in meaningful ways. This book, however, describes how one Christian ministry has attempted to show compassion and bring about true justice to the poor in Atlanta. The author readily admits to his own failures in this difficult ministry, but he also shows us what he has learned after 30 years. We can learn much from his experiences, and hopefully do a better job in our own communities in serving the poor, not just by giving them food and used clothing, but by helping to bring dignity to their lives. I encourage people to read this book with an open mind to how we might better serve the poor.

Thank you Robert Lupton. This book gives hope to individuals that feel as though they are on a island in a sea of compassionless Christianity. Thank you for your candor and thoughtful insight.

I highly recommend this book. Lupton's comments are insightful, thought-provoking and true. This is one of the best books I've read on urban ministry/ministry to the poor since John Perkin's _With Justice for All_. A must read, for sure, and not just for those who are currently involved with ministry to the poor.