The Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College (www.chalmers.org) has as its stated purpose to "Help the Church Help the Poor Help Themselves". As well as several options for those outside the US, it also offers two web-based training modules which are available either in a distance learning format or a self-study format.
The first of these is "Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry", based in part on Brian Fikkert's book "When Helping Hurts" (He's a Dordt alum, by the way) and the second is "Principles and Practices of US Economic Development Ministry". These are either low cost or no cost. The First Module has, for instance, as it's various lessons 1) Holism and Poverty, 2) Relief, Rehabilitation and Development, 3) Assed-Needs Based Development and Participation, 4) Short-Term Missions and US Economic Development Strategies.
