In this revised and updated edition of a modern classic, Bryant Myers shows how Christian mission can contribute to dismantling poverty and social evil. Integrating the best principles and practice of the international development community, the thinking and experience of Christian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and a theological framework for transformational development, Myers demonstrates what is possible when we cease to treat the spiritual and physical domains of life as separate and unrelated.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Bryant Myers is professor of transformational development at Fuller Theological Seminary. A lifelong activist dedicated to Christian relief and development work around the world, Myers served as Vice President for International Program Strategy at World Vision International, where he worked for thirty years. His other books include The New Changing Context of Global Mission, and The Changing Shape of World Mission
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Walking with the Poor..." is simply the best single book about holistic Christian development theory, theology, and real Christian organizational practice which I have read to date. The purpose of the book in Myers' own words "is to describe a proposal for understanding the principles and practice of transformational development (positive material, social and spiritual change) from a Christian perspective. It is my intention to try to bring together the basic streams of thinking and experience. The best of the principles and practice of the international development community needs to be integrated with the thinking and experience of Christian relief and development nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Then these two streams of experience need to be informed and shaped by a biblical framework for transformational development." For the most part, Myers achieves his purpose.
Myers quotes liberally from many other development thinkers and theologians from both economically developed countries and lesser developed countries. He uses wonderful diagrams that are worth their weight in gold for those who learn visually, and his appendices list pertinent Biblical texts and ways to evaluate spiritual transformation in a community. If you are a Christian working anywhere in development, you need to read this book! "Walking With the Poor" introduces a variety of development paradigms and theological reflections about development to those who may never have studied development formally and includes material likely to be new to even the more experienced development practitioner. "Walking With the Poor" is especially useful to get westerners thinking about and praying about how much they do not know about indigenous people, their worldviews, the problems they face, and the importance of the spiritual aspects of development work. Specific topic areas addressed are: a)differing Christian worldviews; b)Christian theology for development including "Third World" theologians views; c) descriptions of major development writers secular and sacred theories of development; d)the importance of participation of the poor in project design and management; e)some methods used by World Vision and other development organizations for encouraging participation by the poor; and f)some transformational evaluation methods used by World Vision.
The only mild criticism is that the book uses too many World Vision examples and experiences (which is reasonable given Myers' position as Vice-President of that organization) and does not include as much about other Christian NGOs work.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this book. I mean I LOVED this book! It probably took me longer to read it than it took the author to write it, because I kept underlining it and pausing to consider the concepts!
My only two concerns were this: The book should be marketed to ALL followers of Jesus, not just those people who work in full time humanitarian aid! Every follower of Christ is called to make disciples--and we need to recognize that this means holistic discipleship--promoting the advancement of health in every area of life: spiritually, physically, mentally, etc. That is primarily what this book is about, and every follower of Christ can benefit from it.
The other issue I'd like to bring up is that the book refers to having to work with the local institutional church, and how even though that is often difficult, it has to be done. My concern here is that there are other ways to integrate "church" into community development--like discipling the people to start their own simple fellowships. Too often institutional churches provide perpetual spiritual "relief" rather than "development". By that I mean that the pastor or leaders just "tell people how it is" rather than helping new Believers dig into the Bible on their own. It's like a spiritual "welfare program". Is it reasonable to suggest that since holistic community development means helping people to help themselves spiritually as well as in other ways, then we should promote/facilitate the kind of churches that model this? The house/simple church movement that encourages "every member ministry", church as a lifestyle, shared responsibilities, dialogue over monologue, etc., should at least be a strong consideration. I pray for the day when Christian humanitarian aid workers and church planters recognize that their work is identical if truly done holistically! IE discipling people in life-giving lessons that can be easily transferred to others (II Timothy 2:2), while alternating topics from day to day or week to week. One day the lesson may be about oral rehydration solution, and the next day it's on forgiveness, etc. Both are vital lessons for the health of the community, and both can be easily passed on by the local people, while working in a field or sitting under a tree, etc.! Holistic teaching IS promoted in this book, but it's not seen as empowering the local people to lead their own simple, reproducing churches.
"Church Planting Movements" by David Garrison, "Houses that Change the World" by Wolfgang Simson, and "Going to Church in the First Century" by Dr. Robert Banks are helpful books on this topic.
My only two concerns were this: The book should be marketed to ALL followers of Jesus, not just those people who work in full time humanitarian aid! Every follower of Christ is called to make disciples--and we need to recognize that this means holistic discipleship--promoting the advancement of health in every area of life: spiritually, physically, mentally, etc. That is primarily what this book is about, and every follower of Christ can benefit from it.
The other issue I'd like to bring up is that the book refers to having to work with the local institutional church, and how even though that is often difficult, it has to be done. My concern here is that there are other ways to integrate "church" into community development--like discipling the people to start their own simple fellowships. Too often institutional churches provide perpetual spiritual "relief" rather than "development". By that I mean that the pastor or leaders just "tell people how it is" rather than helping new Believers dig into the Bible on their own. It's like a spiritual "welfare program". Is it reasonable to suggest that since holistic community development means helping people to help themselves spiritually as well as in other ways, then we should promote/facilitate the kind of churches that model this? The house/simple church movement that encourages "every member ministry", church as a lifestyle, shared responsibilities, dialogue over monologue, etc., should at least be a strong consideration. I pray for the day when Christian humanitarian aid workers and church planters recognize that their work is identical if truly done holistically! IE discipling people in life-giving lessons that can be easily transferred to others (II Timothy 2:2), while alternating topics from day to day or week to week. One day the lesson may be about oral rehydration solution, and the next day it's on forgiveness, etc. Both are vital lessons for the health of the community, and both can be easily passed on by the local people, while working in a field or sitting under a tree, etc.! Holistic teaching IS promoted in this book, but it's not seen as empowering the local people to lead their own simple, reproducing churches.
"Church Planting Movements" by David Garrison, "Houses that Change the World" by Wolfgang Simson, and "Going to Church in the First Century" by Dr. Robert Banks are helpful books on this topic.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While this book is not an easy read, it is extremely thought provoking and enlightening. Everyone involved in any kind of mission work will benefit from the wisdom and guidance in this book. I've already bought 30 copies for key folks from our church involved in or planning transformational development work locally and internationally.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Over Rated- Please stop making me read this drivel
Evangelical Historian Mark A Noll wrote in 1994 that "the scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rob K
A comprehensive survey of Godly transformational development
Walking With the Poor is a seminal book on working in transformational development. If you want to help the poor, and you care about whether the poor people you come into... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jonathan (working on the humility thing)
From the Back Cover
Theology, spirituality, and social science are synthesized in the definitive book on how Christian mission can contribute to overcoming poverty and dismantling systematic social... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Byron K. Siemsen
Man of Peace Develpment (org)
Myers certainly packs much keen insight into a very concise book on this subject. The book may not have a recent publishing date, but I have found this to be the single best volume... Read more
Published on March 16, 2010 by Andrew Rayner
Not For Laymen - HELP!
In a recent training session for Agros International it was stated that this text was used as their philosophical base. Read more
Published on November 24, 2009 by Gerald W. Cravens
Missional Engagement in Any Context
"Walking with the Poor" is a book in which Meyers hopes to develop a Christian understanding of development, to which he gives the name, "Transformational Development". Read more
Published on June 10, 2009 by T. Felke
Great Book on Holistic Development
With Walking with the Poor, Bryant L. Myers has written a book to help bring a new understanding to the area of transformational development from a Christian perspective. Read more
Published on June 2, 2009 by E. Hulbert
Good primer on transformational development
Myers, Bryant L. Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, New York: Orbis Books, 1999. Read more
Published on June 2, 2009 by Brian Kiley
Key Theological Insights for the Conversation around Christian social...
Bryant Myers approaches the conversation of Christian social development recognizing that existing preconceived notions of Christian social work have proven to be unhelpful. Read more
Published on June 2, 2009 by Ray A. Medina
Excellent introduction to tranformational development
Myers gives a balanced and holistic view of a Christian approach to transformational development, which focuses on the local community not the agencies "helping", and acknowledges... Read more
Published on June 1, 2007 by Graham Seel
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The purpose of this book is to describe a proposal for understanding the principles and practice of transformational development (positive material, social, and spiritual change) from a Christian perspective. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
marred identity, holistic disciples, transformational development process, productive stewards, better human future, delusional assumptions, unchanging person, recovering identity, whole biblical story, area development programs, unshakable kingdom, development promoters, changing worldview, holistic practitioners, worldview change, development facilitator, kingdom response, development practitioner, human transformation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Appreciative Inquiry, World Vision, Jesus Christ, Jayakumar Christian, Scripture Search, Latin America, Logical Framework, Robert Chambers, God the Father, Old Testament, Ravi Jayakaran, Walter Wink, Christian God, Mary Anderson, Vinay Samuel, Melba Maggay, Son of God, Hugo Slim, Lesslie Newbigin, South Africa New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The purpose of this book is to describe a proposal for understanding the principles and practice of transformational development (positive material, social, and spiritual change) from a Christian perspective. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
marred identity, holistic disciples, transformational development process, productive stewards, better human future, delusional assumptions, unchanging person, recovering identity, whole biblical story, area development programs, unshakable kingdom, development promoters, changing worldview, holistic practitioners, worldview change, development facilitator, kingdom response, development practitioner, human transformation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Appreciative Inquiry, World Vision, Jesus Christ, Jayakumar Christian, Scripture Search, Latin America, Logical Framework, Robert Chambers, God the Father, Old Testament, Ravi Jayakaran, Walter Wink, Christian God, Mary Anderson, Vinay Samuel, Melba Maggay, Son of God, Hugo Slim, Lesslie Newbigin, South Africa New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 44
books:
See all 44 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- Appreciative Inquiry: A New Story of Positive Change for Business and World Benefit (The Appreciative Inquiry Positive Change Series) by David L. Cooperrider on 4 pages
- Strange Virtues by BT Adeney in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- By Word, Work and Wonder by Thomas H. McAlpine in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Strange Virtues: Ethics in a Multicultural World by Bernard T. Adeney-Risakotta in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Empowering the Poor by Robert Linthicum in Back Matter
See all 44 books this book cites
- Doing God's Business: Meaning and Motivation for the Marketplace by R. Paul Stevens on page 100, and Back Matter
- Enemies with Smiling Faces: Defeating the Subtle Threats That Endanger Christians by Donald C. Posterski in Back Matter
- Re-Imagining Comparative Education: Postfoundational Ideas and Applications for Critical Times (Reference Books in International Education) by Peter Ninnes on page 252
- Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions by Steven L. Rundle in Back Matter
- Participation, Negotiation and Poverty: Encountering the Power of Images : Designing Pro-Poor Development Programmes (King's Soas Studies in Development Geography) by Fletcher Tembo in Back Matter
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