Biblical Strategies for Church Engagement in Poverty Alleviation among the Poor Dwelling in Mende, Lagos, Nigeria
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Johannesburg South African Theological Seminary
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This thesis examined why the poor living in the informal settlements of Mende, Lagos, Nigeria continued to be poor despite the surrounding churches’ efforts at alleviating their poverty. It is a qualitative case study using Osmer’s model of practical theology and supported by scripture and Church history. Findings from the study helped to raise the question of whether a different result would have been obtained if the churches’ alleviation practices have taken into account the challenges posed by the recipient’s worldview and values and the debilitating poverty traps that constitute the culture of the poor in Mende. It also brings to question the churches’ self-understanding as corporate organizations engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) rather than a disciple-making movement with the power of transformative engagement with the poor. The study proposed a two-tier poverty alleviation strategy that may redefine the scope of alleviation programs to increase effectiveness.
This thesis examined why the poor living in the informal settlements of Mende, Lagos, Nigeria continued to be poor despite the surrounding churches’ efforts at alleviating their poverty. It is a qualitative case study using Osmer’s model of practical theology and supported by scripture and Church history. Findings from the study helped to raise the question of whether a different result would have been obtained if the churches’ alleviation practices have taken into account the challenges posed by the recipient’s worldview and values and the debilitating poverty traps that constitute the culture of the poor in Mende. It also brings to question the churches’ self-understanding as corporate organizations engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) rather than a disciple-making movement with the power of transformative engagement with the poor. The study proposed a two-tier poverty alleviation strategy that may redefine the scope of alleviation programs to increase effectiveness.
This thesis examined why the poor living in the informal settlements of Mende, Lagos, Nigeria continued to be poor despite the surrounding churches’ efforts at alleviating their poverty. It is a qualitative case study using Osmer’s model of practical theology and supported by scripture and Church history. Findings from the study helped to raise the question of whether a different result would have been obtained if the churches’ alleviation practices have taken into account the challenges posed by the recipient’s worldview and values and the debilitating poverty traps that constitute the culture of the poor in Mende. It also brings to question the churches’ self-understanding as corporate organizations engaged in corporate social responsibility (CSR) rather than a disciple-making movement with the power of transformative engagement with the poor. The study proposed a two-tier poverty alleviation strategy that may redefine the scope of alleviation programs to increase effectiveness.
Keywords
Church work, Nigeria., City churches, Mission of the church