"When Helping Hurts"

In the world of global compassionate response, there's a very fine line between "Helping" and "Hurting."

Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert's recent book, When Helping Hurts, is a must read for caring compassionate people who feel compelled to respond to profound human crises around the world.

In his editorial review, Joel Belz (founder of World Magazine) writes, "(Corbett and Fikkert) suggest that a comprehensively biblical worldview is essential to set things straight - a worldview that includes both individuals and systems.

In both cases - individual and systemic - the Fikkert-Corbett approach insists on dividing the process into three stages: (1) Relief, or the urgent and temporary provision of aid; (2) Rehabilitation, or the restoration of people and communities, after the 'bleeding' has stopped; and (3) Development, or the promotion of an empowering process alongside the people being helped.

'One of the biggest mistakes North American churches make - by far,' say the authors, "- is applying relief in situations where rehabilitation or development is the appropriate intervention'."

For an excellent three-part review of When Helping Hurts, see what Kevin DeYoung (a pastor from East Lansing MI) has to say at http://chalmers.org/when-helping-hurts/reviews.php

We are committed to these response principles in our facilitative relationship with local national churches in Zimbabwe and within our network of global partnerships.