On March 3rd, 2012 we had our fourth open meeting, which was hosted by Village Green Community Church. It was an excellent morning of open and interesting presentations and discussions.
The theme of our latest meeting was talking about the recent Helping without Hurting conference, held in January at North Park Community Church. That conference presented many challenges to the ways that churches help the materially poor, and might be summarized by the idea that “Development isn't done to people or for people but with people.” .
At our March 3rd meeting we had presentations from people working in the local environment and at the global level, sharing personal insights and stories of Christians helping, and learning how to help in better ways.
In the topmost photo, emcee Steph Card introduces Ron Burdock. Steph did a great job of framing the presentations and discussions.
Thanks to everyone who attended, presented, and volunteered!
One of the main resources we added at this meeting is the following handout, which has excellent links to materials from the Helping without Hurting conference:
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Click on the image on the left to see the handout from the meeting. This includes links to many useful resources for asset mapping, as well as benevolence guidelines. |
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Jon Korkidakis is the lead pastor at Village Green Community Church (www.vgchurch.org). Speaking about the poverty challenges facing local churches, Jon Korkidakis said: “We are looking at new ways to deal with immediate and long term needs. We are sensing the tension between the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of helping. It can be easier to write a cheque than doing the time-intensive work of engaging personally with people, but that is what we need to do.” |
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Bob Kline works with Hope for Rural Children and Orphans (http://www.horco.ca) in Ethiopia. |
Bob's discussion of Ethiopia was framed by the fact that 70% of people there have no clean water access. By working through NGOs and rural partnerships, HORCO is able to help via indirect ways that invigorate the local communities there. The HORCO Facebook page shows a video of a community’s hands-on work to tap into an underground spring. “Seeing them working together, using pots and pans, is an inspiring example of a community in action.” |
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As North Park’s director of global outreach, Ron Burdock brought a lot of experience to the meeting. Ron's team had also hosted the recent Helping without Hurting conference. We had an excellent turnout, and did lots of great sharing and discussing. A shout-out to Rob's Mom, Helen Hueniken, for her wonderful baked goods! She liked that the extra went to Darryl and Debra's friends at Sanctuary London. |
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Ron Burdock said: “We need to empower local resources, and build capacity into families and communities.” “The guideline at the heart of these changes needs to be ‘Don’t dishonour the poor.’” |
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There were lots of excellent questions from the meeting attendees, including Sue Gowan, President of Mission Services of London. The front-line care organizations really feel the struggles of providing relief while aiming for personal and community development. A phrase that sums up much of the new approach to helping the materially poor is “Development isn't done to people or for people but with people.” |
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The meeting wrapped up with a panel discussion, moderated by David Cottrill. David’s good work with new arrivals to Canada has helped develop his perspectives on helping. “If your organization gives things out then you become known for that, and lose opportunities to develop relationships. When you give people the responsibility to help themselves they can show their community to be very resourceful.” |
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There were many discussions after the presentations, including Bob Kline speaking with Dave Hiebert (of Village Green). We are happy that Churches Together London can help to encourage discussion and learning, as we move forward in our shared community development efforts here in London. |
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