The relief versus development debate continues. Arriving at a universal consensus of exactly how to balance relief and development efforts in every area and situation is unlikely, but the conversation continues for good reason, because together we continue to seek the best way to work together to serve people in chronic need.

 

In responding to needs in our community,  there is a natural temptation for short term and long term missionaries or agencies alike to be the hero for the moment.  There is a sense of immediate impact when money,  food,  home repair, or toys are provided for a family in difficult  circumstances. 

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Over the years, God has moved us from a crisis/relief ministry to a developmental ministry. That does not mean we don't value crisis/relief ministries, it simply means we now recognize our focus is on development. It also does not mean we don’t act in a crisis but that it is not the bulk of our work. The shift away from relief work was not easy and we still struggle with it emotionally. We are wired to help those in need regardless of our structure or programming. Each of us is responsible to be obedient to our calling.

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Development ministries are harder in some ways and easier in others. Resisting the quick fix and working toward long term success is challenging. There is no instant gratification of measuring quick impact. Working towards wholeness is the antithesis of building a relief organization. In the capitalist model to be successful we create clients by creating need. In our non-profit world we don’t have to create need, the need is always there. What we unintentionally do is create dependence. We create a cycle of need/fix/need/fix. That is why development programs are so important. Our goal is to break that cycle. We desire to move people from crisis living to proactive, healthy living. Moving people from dependency to independence to ultimately interdependency is our goal. Instead of adding to the dependency and draining the life out of the community, we want to encourage and revitalize life in a vibrant community.

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We question the long term value of free giveaways (essential  and nonessential goods) and we see more of our colleagues are moving away from them as well. But the need for crisis/relief ministries will continue as long as intractable chronic issues remain problems in our community. We also need more development ministries. The trick is to know which strategy to employ and when. Agreeing that we need both relief and development efforts is the first step toward a deeper conversation on how best to coordinate and implement these efforts for maximum long term impact in our needy community.

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"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mt 4:19