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Posts in “Theology of Poverty Alleviation”

Illustration of a woman riding her bike in a neighborhood

Racial Injustice and Broken Systems

If we want to truly love our neighbors, we need to recognize the ways that our neighborhood might be contributing to their plight. Broken people make broken systems, and these broken systems inflict more pain and brokenness on individuals. How can churches address broken systems here and now?

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Series: The Church and Racial Injustice in America

The posts in this series represent our effort to reflect on racial injustice from a biblical framework and to help churches grow in their courage and desire to fight against it as they live out the kingdom of God in their communities.

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Wallet full of cash

Race, Materialism, and the False God of Western Civilization

If we are transformed into the image of whatever we worship, and our culture worships the pursuit of material wealth and pleasure, then racial injustice must have something to do with this. If we truly want to help without hurting and overcome racism, the first step is to repent of our materialistic idolatry.

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Run-down houses

Potlucking with Jesus: Poverty, Injustice, and the Church

What if ministry with the materially poor looked like a potluck instead of a soup kitchen? Hear from Michael Rhodes, co-author of Practicing the King’s Economy, as he shares what he’s learned from his friends and neighbors in South Memphis.

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Image of a church steeple

Racial Injustice and Our False Gods

What is the church supposed to do about racial injustice? Evangelism and prayer should be central tools in the fight against systemic injustice. But what else should the church be doing? To fully answer this question, we must first answer another important question: Why did Jesus come to earth?

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Illustration of the crucifixion

Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

What is the church supposed to do about racial injustice? Evangelism and prayer should be central tools in the fight against systemic injustice. But what else should the church be doing? To fully answer this question, we must first answer another important question: Why did Jesus come to earth?

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Silhouette of a person

A Call to Pray; An Invitation to Lament

The Chalmers Center wants to declare loudly and unequivocally that racism is demonic, that it is ongoing, and that through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection it must end.

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The Chalmers Center

Shout It Aloud and Do Not Hold Back

The Chalmers Center wants to declare loudly and unequivocally that racism is demonic, that it is ongoing, and that through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection it must end.

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A (Re)orientation to Chalmers Resources

Whether you’re new to Chalmers or have been with us for many years, this online guide will help you get connected to the right tools for your ministry.

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What is Normal?

Many of the certainties of our daily lives have been upended. We all just want to get back to normal! But what is “normal”? What are we eager to get back to?

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Our hope is in the resurrection

The Easter Epidemic

It’s Easter weekend—the pinnacle of the Christian calendar. It’s supposed to be a weekend full of joy and celebration. How are we to experience joy and celebrate in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis?

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Interview with Brian Fikkert: Redefining Success for Poverty Alleviation

Redefining “Success” for Poverty Alleviation

What’s the best way to help people who are poor? We can talk about techniques, but the truth is we need more than that. To really help people, we have to take a look at the stories that we tell ourselves about what success really looks like—both for you and the people you are trying to help.

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First Step in Poverty Alleviation

The First Step in Poverty Alleviation

When we see material poverty in the world around us, our first instinct is to do something about it. Where should we start? What’s the first step in poverty alleviation?

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Kelly Kapic

Practicing What We Teach

When we try to help people who are materially poor, we often focus on the habits we think they need to change. But what about our own habits? How do our daily practices affect our ministry with the materially poor?

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Light streaming through windows in a ruined building

Broken Systems, Broken People

Is poverty due to individual brokenness? Or is it caused by systemic injustice? The Bible teaches that the Fall really happened—and it affects both individuals and systems!

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Kelly M. Kapic

Start with the Story

When you’re doing ministry, it can feel like telling stories doesn’t count as “real” work. But telling the biblical story—focusing on what God has done, is doing, and will do—is crucial to poverty alleviation.

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Busy inner-city intersection

Addressing the Five Causes of Poverty

There are five big things that create material poverty and keep people trapped in it. Learn the five causes of poverty—and how you can begin to address them.

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Group of people listening to a lecture

Living into the Story

God is working out His reconciling story in this broken world. The Bible doesn’t provide us with a detailed script for this story—but it does give us the overall direction of God’s unfolding plan. What does this mean for our efforts to help people who are poor?

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