Fronse Pellebon Smith

Very insightful categorizations for folks considering ministry, mission in other places.

My wife Germaine and I value and are lifted up most knowing people are praying for us.

Good questions. 

Key question, does the community néed/want change agents from outside? If so are the agents aware/knowledgeable about community leadership structures?

Interesting topic, is it possible that "being set apart" has different meanings to different cultures in Christian environments? Can one ethnic reality cause different "hearing/ interpretation " of "set apart." 

Good information and advice. It is also important to 'listen' to facial expressions, voice tone, pitch, words used. Many people have different means of self expression based on their life experience and teachings. Animated conversations often reflect communication styles. It is important to listen to the words spoken more than how they are delivered.

Very good points. Congregations vary demographically. Age brackets, economic variants, social, political, culture capital, to name a few require assessment of in-congregation discussions and assessment before developing plans for community programs. Different generations have varied world-views. Thus there may need be multiple outreach strategies. Question: is the neighborhood changing faster than the congregation? Question 2: What do the young congregants think they can/should do? Seniors? 30, 40, 50 something's? etc. 

A very interesting discussion. As we continue to use language of inclusion and reconciliation, too often that discourse revolves around people of color NOT having resources, knowledge or means to witness the Gospel globally. The 'root' of race-differences is NOT necessarily economic. Rather the secular conversations about 'reconciliation' get tangled in our Christian language use and unfortunately quoting of Scripture is used to argue for or against 'in-Christ' brother and sisterhood. Our imperative should be to LIVE the Gospel at all times and in all we seek to witness for the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Brother Daniel, Your reference to a business-person's approach reminds me that there are the equivalent of Chambers of Commerce in most urban environs. Searching by-country websites the formal organizations can be identified online.

i.e. In South Africa in the mid 90's a small group from Holland MI met with the Chambers of Commerce in Johannesburg, Capetown,  Port Elizabeth and Durban. In each city our receoption was very well received and spurred much interest in SA.

Fortunately or unfortunately this was not a concept well understood at the time. The meetings were arranged by URCSA ministers at first, who were wrestling with the dynamic changes in their congrants lives.

As a lay-person and retired businessman my travels to Africa (South, West) have taught me to adapt to and learn how best to 'help' by listening, learning and hearing what African businesspeople and churchpeople need and want expatriates like me to do. And it is not always money handouts, rather it is sourcing, providing information and learning capacity  building possibilities.

I will try Lou, Handouts are (to me) when people come to say a rural area, bring their own tools and materials, build a room, house or clinic and then leave. The people 'helped' are left with a building they did not participate in building and the building thus is not theirs. Too often the local craftspeople are not involved, and too infrequently the local unskilled people are not trained in a craft (carpentry, stonebuilding, roofing) .

Sourcing is when local craftspeople, local materials, and local resources are identified first then used. This includes labor. If there are no craftspeople, then training is given and the congregants on site build for themselves. Elders are invovled in the conceptualization and implementation of a project BEFORE outside people are brought in.

This is not true of medicines, medical supplies, medical machinery that are not available.

Another way I can express this is the 'source' must the people themselves, collectively working together.

All of what I've written above is capacity building to me because when 'we' leave people have not just a building but knowledge to do for themselves.

There are two 'development' definitions: Capacity Building and Fundraising.

Well said Mike ! You make very salient points !

This conversation is great and I appreciate the dialogue and information. I am learning more than I 'thought I knew'!!

Thanks to all

Brother Daniel, Your plans sound feasible and I concur on most points. I would offer the concept of utilizing the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Univ of Stellenbosch, the Reformed Church in Zambia and Justo Mwale Theological College all who have active programs touching on your numbered items especially seminary, diaconal training and church planting. Working on-the-continent with established Reformed institutions and the URCSA will be efficient and practical.

You have thought well and shared your wisdom ideas and I thank you.