Terry Woodnorth

There are a number of facts that can be quantified with real data:

- Less than 1% of the federal budget is used to fight poverty and disease in other nations. So making cuts in this area will have minimal impact to the federal budget deficit.

- Many of the international programs funded by the US save lives (e.g., malaria and AIDS treatment; bed nets to prevent malaria).

- Many domestic US programs (e.g., Earned Income Tax Credit, SNAP) are effective in assisting to lift families out of poverty and prevent hunger.

And I would hope that most Christians can agree that God has a special concern for the poor and that the church, individuals, non-government organizations, and the government all have a role to play in addressing this.

But facts aren't all that we need. I encourage everyone to become familiar with "A Call for Intergenerational Justice: A Christian Proposal for the American Debt Crisis" that Karl referenced in his original post ("issued a statement" link) and use that as a starting point for discussion and action.

For those of you in or near Grand Rapids, you are invited to join one of these upcoming events.

A Conversation on "A Call for Intergenerational Justice: A Christian Proposal on the American Debt Crisis"

A panel discussion with Q & A, featuring Dr. Gideon Strauss, CEO, Center for Public Justice



Last week, the Center for Public Justice and Evangelicals for Social Action issued "A Call for Intergenerational Justice: A Christian Proposal on the American Debt Crisis".  



This event is co-hosted by Peter Vander Meulen, Coordinator of the Christian Reformed Church of North America Office of Social Justice and by Tom McWhertor of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee



Thursday March 10

Noon - 1:30pm

Erie Room of the Christian Reformed Church of North America Office Building



2850 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE

Grand Rapids

SE corner of 28th Street intersection, across from Meijer



Free and open to the public

Please bring your own lunch and plan to join the conversation

Questions? Contact Doreen Skillen at the Center for Public Justice, 410-571-6300





Opposing Views: America's Debt Crisis and 'A Call for Intergenerational Justice'

This event is hosted by the Acton Institute and features Dr. Gideon Strauss, CEO, Center for Public Justice and Jordan J. Ballor, Research Fellow at the Acton Institute.  Mr. Ballor has criticized the Call as demonstrating "very little principle" and consisting mostly of "leaps in logic based on unstated assumptions about the role that government should have" in providing social assistance.  The Action Institute invites you for a night of discussion about government debt, federal spending, and how faith communities should understand the responsibilities of social institutions in addressing the problem of poverty.



Thursday March 10

Derby Station

2237 Wealthy Street, SE

East Grand Rapids, 49506



6:00pm Grab a seat & beverage

6:30pm Discussion begins



Free and open to the public, but seating is limited, so the Acton Institute encourages you to arrive early.

I found the article On Becoming a Servant Leader: Seven myths and seven paradoxes of Christian leadership by Dan R. Ebener at http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1102&article=on-becoming-a-servant-leader to be helpful. It appears in print in the February, 2011, issue of Sojourners magazine.

The "2 page tool" link isn't working. I thought I saw it as a download earlier this week.

A brief review of Tim Keller's book Ministries of Mercy (along with other books on the topic of wholistic ministry for your church) can be found at Hearts & Minds Books .

The "When Helping Hurts Ministry Training" Webinar Series at www.chalmers.org/when-helping-hurts/webinar/schedule.php also looks like a great resource. This is based on the "When Helping Hurts" book by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College.

Does anyone know what Synod did with the overture on deacons? It was not reported on in the daily e-mail updates from CRC Communications.

Today I heard from one of the delegates who attended Synod that this overture was approved by Synod.

I've just finished watching the first session. Allen has done an amazing job presenting the climate crisis and the responsibility of Christians using a biblical framework. I highly recommend this series.

The Chalmers Center (where the authors of Helping Without Hurting work) has a Faith & Finances training and certification program that is offered once per quarter in various US locations – http://www.chalmers.org/our-work/us-church-training/. I've registered for the August/September session (one month of online preparation and two days in-person in Dayton, OH). I'm looking forward to see how this training will allow me as a deacon to better connect with my community. The following is a brief overview of the program.

“Chalmers trains churches and ministries in Faith & Finances, a biblically integrated financial education curriculum designed specifically for low-income people. Through Faith & Finances, churches can train the materially poor in practical money management skills and unpack how our money is part of God’s work in the world. The $350 training package equips you to walk with your low-income neighbors over time, leading to lasting transformation.”

The link to the benchmarks that are "signs of renewal" page needs to be fixed.