Sherman, Restorers of Hope

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Amy Sherman, Restorers of Hope: Reaching the Poor in Your Community With Church-Based Ministries that Work. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2004.

Referenced in: Social Ministry Among the Urban Poor, Urban Ministry

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This is a standard work that is still referenced by most resources on the subject of urban ministry. Some sections remain quite useful:

Chapter 2, Transforming Culture, and Chapter 3, Reforming Hearts, Renewing Minds, Refreshing Spirits, and Chapter 7, Making the Shift to Relational Ministry show how to move from “commodity based benevolence” to (i.e. just giving material aid) to “holistic relational ministry” that promotes lasting transformation.
Chapter 8, Getting Going: Ten Steps to Beginning a Community Ministry
Part 3, consisting of three chapters, presents excellent insight on the benefits and pitfalls of collaboration with government agencies.

From the Publisher

It’s easy to get discouraged at the reports of continuing decay in our inner cities and impoverished rural areas. Yet in the midst of the dark realities, some churches are transforming lives and reclaiming communities through effective, holistic ministries.

Restorers of Hope tells their stories and identifies the keys to their success. And it goes further by challenging churches to take up Christ’s command to “love your neighbor” and offering specific, practical guidance on how to reach out. By understanding the challenges of persistent poverty – and the opportunities afforded by welfare reform – you and your church will be better equipped to engage in redemptive ministry that presents the gospel as the true solution.

About the Author

Dr. Amy L. Sherman is a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute for Policy, Research Director of the Center on Faith in Communities at the Foundation for American Renewal Senior Fellow for the International Justice Mission, and founder and former Executive Director of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries (CALM. Dr. Sherman is the author of four books and 70+ articles and essays that have appeared in such diverse publications as The Public Interest, Policy Review, First Things, Christianity Today, The Washington Times, Philanthropy, and Books & Culture.

Dr. Sherman is a leading national expert on charitable choice, an advisor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and the author of The Charitable Choice Handbook for Ministry Leaders. Dr. Sherman provides on-site consulting services to congregations starting or enhancing their community ministries and is a frequent speaker at training conferences for faith-based practitioners.

Sherman received her undergraduate degree from Messiah College in 1987 and her Ph.D. in foreign affairs/economic development from the University of Virginia in 1994.

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Social Justice, Social Ministry, Urban Ministry