Week 6: Chapter 5 — Foundational Elements of a Healthy Ministry

1.The authors argue that healthy poverty ministry must begin with the local church, not with parachurch organizations or outside experts. Why do they make this argument? Do you agree that the local church is the primary vehicle for poverty work, or do you see reasons to push back?

2.Corbett and Fikkert emphasize the importance of asset-based community development (ABCD) — beginning with an inventory of what people and communities already possess, rather than what they lack. How is this approach connected to the doctrine of the imago Dei introduced in Chapter 2?

3.The authors describe the necessity of 'listening before speaking' and spending significant time understanding a community before proposing any solutions. Nehemiah, they note, spent time in prayer and observation before he presented a plan. What do prayer and extended listening have to do with faithful poverty work?