Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 363

or between development workers and those they are training, can be twisted through the stress of conflict, jealousy, miscommunication, and cultural differences. Both personal relationships and institutional programs need to be protected from spiritual forces that would corrupt or destroy them. This requires an ongoing commitment to spiritual warfare, and to personal and corporate holiness. 6 • Development work should challenge unjust practices. Development workers must prepare people to speak out against unjust practices in ways which demonstrate both the love and justice of God. While the non-profit organization is not itself a forum for political advocacy, it is responsible to train people to value justice and to make decisions in a moral context. In the marketplace, workers will be confronted by individual and systemic injustices and should be trained to respond to them in a manner which honors Christ and the values of his Kingdom. • The role of the Church in development must not be neglected. Ephesians 2:14 records that it is “Christ himself” who is our peace and who has “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” between Jew and Gentiles. Reconciliation is rooted in the person and work of Christ and thus the importance of Christ’s body, the Church, cannot be overlooked. Missionary development projects should both flow out of and result in dynamic churches. Explanation Development concentrates on providing an environment in which people can learn the importance and disciplines of work, gain skills which enhance the value of their work, and apply the disciplines and skills they acquire. However, no human endeavor is exempt from the moral force of our ability to choose, i.e., to decide whether or not to fully use the gifts, opportunities, and potentials we have been given. Because of variations of motivation, effort and preparation, differences in incomes are inevitable, and ought to be expected. Development programs should both teach and reward initiative. 8.3 Development does not seek to guarantee equality of outcome, but equality of opportunity.

6 See Thomas McAlpine, Facing the Powers (McAlpine, 1991) for a helpful discussion of ways in which Reformed, Anabaptist, Charismatic, and Social Science perspectives share both differing perspectives and common ground in understanding and confronting spiritual powers.