Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

356 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

and wisdom (increasing in skill, understanding and the ability to discern and do what is right for themselves and others). Maturing individuals should move from dependence toward autonomy, from passivity toward activity, from small abilities to large abilities, from narrow interests to broad interests, from egocentricity to altruism, from ignorance toward enlightenment, from self-rejection toward self acceptance, from compartmentability toward integration, from imitation toward originality and from a need for rigidity toward a tolerance for ambiguity (Klopfenstein 1993, 95-96). • Decisions are best handled at the closest point to those affected. National policies and procedures exist to: » Provide a framework for effective decision making. » Express the values and purposes that are corporately shared. » Ensure equity between peoples and projects at many different sites. » Provide accountability which safeguards integrity. Responsible decision making within a community assumes that there are mature individuals with a commitment to these common purposes and that open communication exists between the people involved. When these elements are present, most decision making should be done by the people who are responsible to implement the decisions. All decisions must take into consideration the local context and the unique people, relationships, and project conditions that are present. • Wages should be fair. When development work involves employment, the employee should be compensated equitably in relation to their contribution toward the success or profitability of the project. • Training programs should include teaching on the importance of stewardship and giving. The need for people to give to God, to others and to their community should be made explicit in the development process. Each person’s self identity as a contributor should be reinforced and the intrinsic connection between receiving and giving (Luke 6:38) should be established.