Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 351

body. Although we should resist polarization between evangelism and social action, we should not resist specialization (Cho 1985, 229). As a missions agency, our primary focus is evangelism and discipleship which results in the planting of indigenous churches. The fact that evangelism, church-planting and development are interconnected means that missions agencies, especially those who focus on the poor and oppressed, will engage in some form of development work. However, the mission agency must be careful to structure its development work so that it encourages the central task of evangelism and church-planting rather than detracts from it. 4 We should engage in development work which fosters the formation, health, growth, and reproducibility of indigenous churches among the poor. Specialization allows organizations to maximize the training and resources that can be committed to a specific part of the overall task of mission. The development agency may engage in many good and necessary projects that have no immediate connection to evangelism and the planting and nurturing of emerging churches. The missions agency appreciates the many development agencies that engage in this type of work. Although the mission agency will want to network with them (and pray that God will vastly increase their number and effectiveness), the mission agency itself will focus on development projects that assist the task of evangelism, discipleship, and the establishment of indigenous churches. Without this commitment to specialization, the mission agency will lose its ability to accomplish its part of the larger task. Statement of Purpose While we recognize the legitimacy of engaging in development work for its own sake as a direct godly response to human need, we believe that we are called to specialize in development work that specifically supports and contributes to the task of evangelism, discipleship and church-planting. In light of this, we affirm the following statement. The aim of World Impact’s development ministries is to support the evangelism, discipleship, and church-planting goals of World Impact by: • Demonstrating the Love of Christ Many oppressed people have little basis for understanding God’s love for them and the essential justice and compassion of his character. Development work can provide a living witness to the love of Christ and his concern for justice and peace in urban neighborhoods. Holistic ministry can come alongside the verbal proclamation of the Gospel, 4.1

4. Development Work within Our Mission Agency

4 See Appendix A, following, for a variety of perspectives on how improperly implemented development work can adversely affect missionary work.