Corbett, When Helping Hurts

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Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself. Moody Publishers, 2009.

Referenced in: Theological and Sociological Foundations of Social Ministry

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

Corbett and Fikkert are Christian economists/professors who have a heart for the poor. With this background, they are uniquely qualified to address not only the biblical/theological, but also the social/economic, dimensions of ministry to the poor.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One, “Foundational Concepts for Helping Without Hurting,” looks at questions such as mission, why Jesus came to earth, and the nature and scope of the problem of poverty. Part Two, “General Principles for Helping Without Hurting” discusses the difference between relief, rehabilitation, and development, and how to determine which is needed based on situation. They also discuss the various types of paternalism, doing things for other that they can do for themselves, and how to avoid them. This section also includes a discussion of the important principle of “Asset-Based Community Development,” (ABCD) through the use of Appreciative Inquiry. Another chapter talks about the level of participation the poor should have, or not have, based on the level of development. Part Three, “Practical Strategies for Helping Without Hurting,” discuss issues such as short-term projects, and how to start locally before extending globally.

For congregations wanting a well-written, accessible distillation of the best of theology, theory, and practice on this subject, this is a good place to start. It is less academic than Bryant Myers’ Walking With the Poor, and more balanced than Ash Barker’s Making Poverty Personal. In the introduction, the authors provide a very helpful guide for how to use this book with ministry task-forces and group meetings. In addition, the authors also maintain a web community, which provides sample chapters and many additional resources.

From the Publisher

Churches and individual Christians typically have faulty assumptions about the causes of poverty, resulting in the use of strategies that do considerable harm to poor people and themselves. When Helping Hurts provides foundational concepts, clearly articulated general principles and relevant applications. The result is an effective and holistic ministry to the poor, not a truncated gospel.

A situation is assessed for whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the best response to a situation. Efforts are characterized by an “assest based” approach rather than a “needs based” approach. Short term mission efforts are addressed and microenterprise development (MED) is explored.

About the Authors

Steve Corbett is the Community Development Specialist for the Chalmers Center for Economic Development and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College. Previously, Steve worked for Food for the Hungry International as the Regional Director for Central And South America and as Director of Staff Training. Steve has a B.A. from covenant College and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia.

Brian Fikkert is an Associate Professor of Economics at Covenant College and the Founder and Executive Director of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. Brian received a Ph.D. in Economics with highest honors from Yale University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Dordt College. Specializing in Third World Development and International Economics, Brian has been a consultant to the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development. He has published articles in both leading academic and popular journals and has been a contributor to several books. Prior to coming to Covenant College, he was a professor at the University of Maryland and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector.

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