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Paperback / 210 pages

Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. When Helping Hurts provides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel.

A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an "assest based" approach rather than a "needs based" approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and microenterprise development (MED) is explored.

Often times when we believe we are doing good, we are in fact doing harm. When this happens we may all stand back and shout "I was only trying to help!" but the damage is done, and often cannot be reversed. Such is the case with many of the ways local congregations have contributed through their various projects such as short-term missions. This book, "When Helping Hurts", discusses ways in which Christians can help those in poverty without harming those who are already suffering, and how to keep themselves from getting hurt. Beyond helping those in need, it is also the call of very Christian to act responsibly and wisely, while yet being "innocent as doves". In a world of increasing violence and hunger this book is quite timely and will help churches be more effective in both helping the poor ad spreading the gospel.