The Dynamics of Helping the Poor with Lee Anne Reat

The ChurchNext Podcast

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor. Corbett, Steve and Fikkert, Brian. Chicago: Moody, 2012.
A discussion of the problems posed by traditional charity-based outreach by religious organizations from an evangelical point of view. Corbett & Fikkert have followed this book with others in a series called When Helping Works.

Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-Income People Corbett, Steve and Fikkert, Brian. Grand Rapids: Moody, 2015.
Provides a toolkit for what to do when people ask for help.

The Justice Calling: Where Passion Meets Perseverance.

Hoang, Bethany and Johnson, Kristen D. Grand Rapids: Bravos, 2016
A deep dive into God’s call to justice through a description of six scriptural movements – creation, the fall, Israel, Jesus, the Church, and all things being made new. Biblical watchwords framing the discussion are holiness, hesed (loving-kindness). Justice, righteousness, and shalom (flourishing wholeness).

Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It)

Lupton, Robert D. New York: Harper One, 2011.
A good resource for congregational discussions about outreach efforts, both domestic and global. Lupton’s Oath of Compassionate Service is particularly helpful, challenging our traditional approach to reaching out to those in need.

Beyond Charity: The Call to Christian Community Development.

Perkins, John M. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993.
An older resource for information on Christian Community Development that outlines the principles of moving into and becoming part of under-resourced neighborhoods. See web resources on CCD.

Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America, 2nd edition.

Sider, Ron. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.

Statistics are dated, but a discussion of the roots of poverty and our biblical call to justice are excellent. Sider gives Twelve Principles for a Just Society.

You might be interested in other ChurchNext classes on church-community involvement and building economic justice. Consider taking:

Radical Welcoming with Stephanie Spellers

Metro Theology with Chip Graves

Creating Common Good 1: Economic Inequality with Julio Murray

Creating Common Good 2: Christian Responsibility with Rachel Held Evans

Creating Common Good 3: Educational Inequality with Nicole Baker Fulgham

Creating Common Good 4: A Christian Response with Justin Welby

Economic Inequality and the Church For Groups

For courses on establishing partnerships with particular types of community organization, try:

How to Establish a Church/School Partnership with All Our Children

Responding to Refugees with Allison Duvall.