Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Empowering People for Freedom, Wholeness, and Justice (continued)

Implications

• People are not means to an end. Development seeks, first of all, to develop people. This will necessarily involve equipping them (and holding them accountable to) accomplishing tasks. However, it is the maturing of the person, not the completion of the task that is always the primary end of development work. • All people in the development process should work for each other as if they are working for Christ himself. Colossians 3.23-24 reminds us that our work is ultimately directed toward and rewarded by Christ. Development projects must operationalize this principle. This suggests that our work must be done with excellence, integrity, diligence, meekness, love and whatever other virtues are necessary for proper service to God. • Relational dynamics must be taken seriously. A development project which produces an excellent product and equips people with marketable skills, but which is characterized by disharmony or disunity among its employees has not achieved its goal. The developer must seek to develop genuine community within the workplace. 1 John 3:18 exhorts us to love not merely with words or tongue, “but with actions and in truth.” The love of Christ is given not to “souls” but to whole persons. Development activities should minister unashamedly to the whole person and should serve as evangelism by example. Development work functions as a sign of the Kingdom by enabling people, families, and\or communities to experience the love and care of Christ. This suggests that development workers must know Christ intimately and be able to communicate his love to others. Implications • Development projects may emphasize mental, physical, social, or economic development. 7.2 Development activities should demonstrate the truth of the Gospel. Explanation