Copyright © 2009 by Galen Currah, George Patterson and Edward Aw
This document may be stored, shared and published in any media.
Wise relief and development workers avoid helping the poor in ways that build dependency. It is well documented how careless handouts make the poor lose initiative and self-respect; many begin to depend on others’ generosity, and greed moves them to lie about their needs. However, this grave error is not unique to those who serve the poor. Church and mission history reveals that dependency is just as common, and far more destructive, among churches and believers who are not poor. The demon of ‘Sophisticated Dependency’ is an invisible member of the advisory board of many churches, mission agencies and seminaries. Two major problems arise.


Recent Comments