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• John Perkins is President of the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development, located in West Jackson, the heart of the inner city of Jackson, Mississippi, there they have pioneered development ministries. However, their training and influence in the area of wholistic Christian Community Development (CCD) spans the United States, and the world through their efforts in "Encouraging and developing leaders and resources to further the vision of wholistic Christian Community Development and racial reconciliation." He is the author of numerous books.
  • Christian Community Development Association - see their www.ccda.org web site for a list of resources.

  • Restoring at Risk Communities Edited by John Perkins
    This is the "official" handbook of the CCDA - highlighting their philosophy of ministry, as well as practical items such as "how to start a Christian Community Development Ministry" Paperback: 266 pages Baker Books (October 1, 1995)

  • Beyond Charity by John Perkins
    Probably the most widely known and best introductory book by Perkins. Paperback: 192 pages Baker Books (June 1, 1993)

  • Resurrecting Hope by John Perkins and Jo Kadlacek
    Stories of mercy and community development in action from different churches and cities in North America.

  • An Article about John Perkin's Three R's approach to Christian community development.

• What is interesting is that doing a Google search for "mercy ministry" you find a significant number of hits on Presbyterian churches (PCA) and ministry. And a number of key books on the subject have been written by Presbyterian men and Women. Here are Biblical Guidelines for Mercy Ministry in the PCA (1987 General Assembly Position Paper)

• Tim Keller is the Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, (PCA) , Manhattan, NY. Dr. Keller is committed to helping leaders establish holistic ministries to meet the needs of both the body and soul. This plan encompasses inciting a church planting movement that will spawn dozens of new multi-ethnic congregations throughout the urban area and the world, continuing into the next decades. A "fan" page with more about Rev. Keller
  • Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road by Tim Keller A great overview that combines both principles and practical help. P & R Publishing; 2nd edition (August 1, 1997) (a review)

  • A Summary of Keller's Mandate and list of key texts.

• Amy Sherman is senior fellow with the Hudson Institute, where she directs the Faith in Communities initiative. Along with her research work at Hudson, Sherman serves as the urban ministries advisor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is founder and former executive director of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries, a holistic, cross-cultural, whole-family, church-based outreach in an urban neighborhood of approximately 380 lower-income, single-parent families.
  • Restorers of Hope: Reaching the Poor in Your Community with Church-Based Ministries That Work by Amy Sherman
    Agood overview - provides some helpful discussion on the benefits and pitfalls of collaborating with the government. Paperback: 254 pages Wipf & Stock Publishers (November, 2004)

  • Visit Amy Sherman Publications site for more books by her.

  • The ABCs of Community Ministry: A Curriculum for Congregations by Amy L. Sherman
    A great "workbook" format for churches and groups - gets people doing bible study on these issues, but also thinking about practical applications and questions. Unfortunately Out of Print!

  • Sharing God's Heart for the Poor: Meditations for Worship, Prayer, and Service by Amy L. Sherman (Co-published, Hudson Institute and Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1999)

• Harvie M. Conn and Urban Missions. Conn was emeritus professor of missions at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before his death in 1999. He served as a missionary in Korea for twelve years and joined the faculty of Westminster in 1972.
  • Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City, and the People of God by Harvie Conn and Manuel Ortiz
    Probably the best single text on urban missions. Includes a chapter on Shalom and social transformation, and a great section on leadership development

  • The Urban Face of Mission by Harvie Conn and others
    A good overview written by lots of specialist in memory of Harvie Conn after his death.

  • Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace by Harvie M. Conn
    Paperback: 112 pages · Publisher: P & R Publishing; Reprint edition (July 1, 1992)

  • Planting and Growing Urban Churches: From Dream to Reality by Harvie M. Conn
    Paperback: 271 pages Academic (July 1, 1997)

  • An Article by Harvie Conn The City and Unreached Peoples (Urbana 87) . . An interview with Manuel Ortiz

• Bryant L. Myers

  • Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development by Bryant L. Myers
    A good book about holistic Christian development theory, theology, and real Christian organizational practice. It introduces a variety of development paradigms and theological reflections about development to those who may never have studied development formally and includes material likely to be new to even the more experienced development practitioner and is especially useful to get westerners thinking about and praying about how much they do not know about indigenous people, their worldviews, the problems they face, and the importance of the spiritual aspects of development work.Paperback: 279 pages. Orbis Books (July 1, 1999)

• Other Published Resources

  • To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City by Mark R. Gornik
    Paperback: 261 pages Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 1, 2002)

  • The Micah Principle: Balancing the Christian Life by George Grant (Cumberland, 1999)
    Can social involvement and spirituality come together? The real question, according to George Grant, is whether they can ever be separated. Justice without mercy, or mercy without justice are biblically impossible.

  • Neither Poverty nor Riches. A Biblical Theology of Material Possessions. Craig L. Blomberg.
    This book is a very solid and detailed study on wealth in the Bible. Highly recommended if you want God's perspective. William B Eerdmans. Grand Rapids, 1999

  • The New Testament Deacon: The Church's Minister of Mercy by Alexander Strauch 191 pages - Lewis & Roth Publishers (October 1, 1992) and The New Testament Deacon (Study Guide) by Alexander Strauch Paperback: 96 pages - Lewis & Roth Publishers (September 1, 1995)
    Overall, this is a great biblical study dealing with all the passages which address deacons. Strauch stresses the importance of deacons and the need for biblically functioning deacons in any New Testament church. Recommended for any pastor wanting to train deacons.

  • Stewards in the Kingdom, A Theology of Life in All Its Fullness, R. Scott Rodin, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois
    A solid effort to lay a theological foundation for Stewardship - This is an excellent book!

  • Decisive Issues facing Christians today by John Stott
    Especially to help Christians think through basic issues of involvement in society, complexities faced by a postmodern or pluralistic age, and then overviews of such issues as work and unemployment, racism, poverty, economic inequality, human rights, etc.Paperback: 427 pages Fleming H Revell Co (February 1, 1996)

  • Church of Irresistible Influence by Robert Lewis
    This book provides practical insights into what it will take to reconnect your church with your community. Its timely message is like a bridge over the troubled waters between an isolated church and a cynical culture. Zondervan, 2001

    Discipling the City: A Comprehensive Approach to Urban Mission by Roger S. Greenway
    Paperback: 302 pages Baker Pub Group; 2nd edition (September 1, 1992)

  • Discipling Nations: The power of Truth to Transform Cultures By Darrow L. Miller
    I wish I had this in preparing my 2003 Stewardship talks, but wasn't aware of it until a chance acquaintence made on the flight home. Miller spent three years with L'Abri Fellowship and he approaches the problem of poverty and development from a "World Views" perspective and challenging the secular and animistic viewpoints that fail to deliver cultures from deception and poverty with the Biblical "World View" that can.

  • The Calvinist Concept of Culture By Henry Van Til

  • Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community With Good News and Good Works by Ronald J. Sider
    The controversial author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger has also written Good News and Good Works: A Theology for the Whole Gospel

  • Families at the Crossroads: Beyond Traditional & Modern Options by Rodney Clapp
    Paperback: 208 pages InterVarsity Press (October 1, 1993)

  • Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    This story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years gives practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups. The role of personal prayer, worship in common, everyday work, and Christian service is treated in simple, almost biblical, words. Paperback: 128 pages HarperSanFrancisco (October 25, 1978)

  • Good News to the Poor: John Wesley's Evangelical Economics by Theodore W. Jr. Jennings
    Paperback: 236 pages Abingdon Press (October 1, 1990) (A Review) (Discussion of Wesley's Economics)

  • A Theology As Big As the City by Ray Bakke
    A biblical theology by the executive director of International Urban Associates in Chicago and professor of Global Urban Mission at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia with thirty years experience in Chicago. 240 pages InterVarsity Press (June 1, 1997)

  • Charles Simeon by H. Moule
    A biography of an outstanding Anglican pastor to the poor and needy in the Nineteenth Century. He was also a prominent part in bringing an end to the slave trade. Paperback Christian Focus Publications (August, 1997)

  • Compassionate Ministry: Theological Foundations by Bryan P. Stone
    Stone's own Process and Liberation theological background shows through in this work, and some will find the book more, or less, appealing because of this. Nevertheless, however one may hold these influences, the book is particularly interesting because of the degree to which he grounds his approach in his own Wesleyan Biblical tradition. Paperback: 168 pages Orbis Books (February 1, 1996)

• On Line Resources:
  • Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Mercy Ministries Page Articles

  • Disciple Nations Alliance an alliance of individuals, churches and organizations seeking to help churches practice wholistic ministry in their own communities. This is a joint project of Food for the Hungry (USA) and FHI (International); and The Harvest Foundation. This objective is accomplished through training, education, materials development and networking. Available online is their Disciple Nations Alliance Course which can be used by individuals or churches.

  • Chalmers Center for Economic Development (Covenant College) offers both e-mail based and 3-11 day Campus based courses of study.

  • Mission to North America (PCA) Mercy Ministry and Resources, including a good Suggested Reading list.

  • Association of Gospel Rescue Missions founded in 1913 has about 300 missions in its membership.
  • Rescue College an Internet-based distance education program of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, based in Kansas City, Missouri. It's mission is to prepare men and women for successful careers with rescue missions and other para-church organizations, particularly those working in the inner city. With enrollment open year round, students may participate in programs leading to a certificate or Bachelor of Arts degree in Missions with an urban ministry emphasis.
  • Funding the Kingdom Article by Henry Krabbendam (pdf)

  • Generous Giving: Funding the great Commissions a page of resources: links to articles.

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  For Information regarding Barry McWilliams' 2005 Trip to Uganda, please click