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God’s Kingdom Has a Startling Economic System
Every earthly kingdom has its own way of doing things, its own customs and policies regarding food, sex, family, and religion. And every kingdom has an economic policy. But when Jesus welcomes us into his alternate kingdom, something strange happens. We discover a whole new world. And we soon discover that Jesus’s kingdom looks different…
Getting Our Story Straight
When we try to help people in poverty, we incorporate faulty ideas into our efforts without even realizing it. What are these false stories—and why do they matter?
We Become What We Worship: Why False Stories Hurt Us—And the Poor
Every human is worshiping something—and what we worship shapes our entire lives, including our work with people in poverty. When people encounter our poverty alleviation efforts, what will they find us worshiping?
A Gymnasium for Our Hearts: Singing to Shape Our Love for the Poor
The gathered worship and liturgy of the church is key to our formation as the people of God, but too often, an element is missing. Musician Wendell Kimbrough shares how our worship services can reinforce our understanding of God’s heart for people suffering poverty and injustice.
Interview: Vicki Conn of Love INC
Chalmers staff member Laura Haley sat down with Vicki Conn, Director of Love INC of Greater Holmes County, to discuss how local churches are transforming lives and communities in the name of Christ.
We Need a Better Story
We often build poverty alleviation initiatives that are designed to help poor people pursue the American Dream. But what if all of us—poor and non-poor alike—need a different story?
Interview: Brian Fikkert on Becoming Whole
Brian Fikkert recently sat down with staff member Laura Haley to discuss the new book he co-authored with Kelly Kapic, Becoming Whole—and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our work with the poor.
Why the Kingdom of God Matters if We Want to Help the Poor
The way that we work with people who are poor reflects the stories we tell ourselves about what it means to live the “good life.” If we get the story wrong, our efforts to help the poor can do more harm than good.
Finding Hope After the Hurricane
Pastor Ronnie Garcia wanted to see the gospel flourish in Puerto Rico. But he never imagined that he’d be on the front lines of disaster relief after one of the most catastrophic hurricanes ever to hit U.S. soil.
The Art of Flipcharts
Faith & Finances uses the tangible, customizable flipchart in every lesson. Flipcharts are great because they require no electricity, software updates, or photocopiers. But just because they are intentionally low-tech doesn’t mean that the importance of good flipcharting should be underestimated!
The Cost of Poverty Experience
The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) is a tool that can help move your church or faith-based ministry into a deeper understanding of poverty that facilitates meaningful dialogue and engagement.
A Shared Vision of God’s Kingdom
We’re joining with strategic partners around the world to develop biblical, innovative approaches to poverty—and to equip more churches than ever before. This year, we’re celebrating our emerging partnership with Tearfund, a UK-based church-equipping organization. Tearfund has mobilized a worldwide network of more than 154,000 local churches in some of the most challenging places on earth….
Finding New Community Through Faith & Finances
When one Ohio couple called Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC), they asked for help with housing. But what they found was a supportive community. When Elmer and Dawn contacted Love INC of Greater Holmes County, Elmer was recovering from drug addiction, and the couple was working to regain custody of their three children….
Potluck Community: Re-Imagining the Kingdom
This year, we released a new book resource designed to help churches re-disciple their members around the vision of the Kingdom of God. Written by community development practitioner Michael Rhodes and Chattanooga pastor Robby Holt, Practicing the King’s Economy explores practical ways for Christians to live out the Kingdom of God in their work, church, family, and…
Strengthening Local Relationships Through Online Learning
Through online learning, Chalmers is making paradigm-shifting resources more accessible to local churches. Located in the heart of Colorado Springs, First Pres has always served its community and reached out around the world. The church has a 150-year history of local and global outreach, and they’ve often turned to resources like When Helping Hurts or Helping Without Hurting…
Maurice’s Story: Restoration through the Local Church
Maurice participated in Faith & Finances at North Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he learned practical skills that helped him overcome financial obstacles. Today, Maurice has a new vision for his future and enjoys renewed relationships with friends and family.
Restoring Work: Jobs Preparedness Training
What areas of your life do you long to see reconciled and made new? It may seem like a strange question. But on a summer day in Memphis, TN, a group of people navigating unemployment wrestled with it in powerful ways. One by one, they each described areas of brokenness in their lives that they…
Discipleship Meets Financial Education: An Interview with Jerilyn Sanders
Jerilyn Sanders is the Director of US Training at the Chalmers Center. Her work combines two things: her love for God’s people and her passion for education that empowers the disenfranchised. In this role, Sanders and her team created Faith & Finances, a financial education curriculum that allows the church to minister holistically in its…