Homelessness and Poverty in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States of America, and a Theology of Hope: Rethinking the Church
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Johannesburg South African Theological Seminary
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Globally, there is a growing homeless population despite an increase in aid and resources directed to helping the homeless and poor provided by churches, para-church organizations, and private and state agencies. The ministries and agencies in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States of America, are included in those that assist the homeless and poor in its communities. Tangible resources, such as food, clothing, and medical assistance, are available to those in need. However, the research problem is determining how the poor and homeless living in Phoenix might have a sense of hope that their lives can and will improve. The historical and current ministry practices of people experiencing poverty in the Phoenix area are examined and compared to biblical principles to determine these praxes' theological meanings, including qualitative and quantitative research using questionnaires, personal interviews, and a focus group discussion. The study used a hybrid of Brownng research method and Appreciative Inquiry.
The study participants were church and para-church leadership, homeless people, and the working poor. The study found that God had established principles for the marginalized to be cared for, protected, valued, and assisted in eliminating cyclical poverty. In biblical times, people based their praxes on these principles, but today, we implement them differently. Ministry is provided based on the assumed needs of the homeless and working poor by church leadership, but the poor listed as top of their needs something different from what had been assumed. While ministries provide services and aid, the single thing that builds a sense of hope and encouragement in the lives of the homeless and working poor is when someone in the church or para-church organization listens to their story and prays for them.
The findings of this study have provided an understanding of the actual needs of people experiencing poverty and shown what ministries are doing that are effective and what they can do better. One example is the need for collaboration between ministries to increase awareness and effective ministry to people experiencing poverty.
This study established that personal interaction is essential to establishing hope in those experiencing poverty and homelessness today. It also shows a distinction between transactional ministry and transformative ministry. Transactional ministry is the exchange of goods or services to ease the suffering of the impoverished. The transformational ministry provides the opportunities and means for lives to be changed; an increasing number of churches and para-church organizations are moving in the direction of being transformed rather than just transactional.
This study also shows that it is essential to realize that some who experience poverty are unwilling to do the work necessary to improve their lives. However, some need higher paying employment and want to do whatever is necessary to end their poverty cycle. The means to provide hope is by the community of faith working together to provide counseling, job training, assistance, support, and prayer to build hope in the poor so their lives can improve.
Keywords
Church, Mission of the church, Sermons, American, Theology, Practical