INNOVATIVE MINISTRIES

THINKING THEOLOGICALLY on Aid and Development

By Rothangliani Chhangte O

ne major difference between the ministry of Baptist World Aid and those from other relief and development agencies is that we bring our Christian faith and witness to the work we do. However, we often become busy in the doing that we

forget the being, not taking the time to think and reflect on what we have done or are doing, or whether our actions are having an impact on the community we serve in a positive or negative way. When BWAid asks for reports on projects we support, we expect to be provided with a record of the stewardship of the money we give. Ultimately however, we answer to a higher calling from the One who calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. To learn whether our Christian witness is having the impact

intended, BWAid now asks for theological reflection in our missional work. In that regard, a number of questions need to be asked and answered in this reflection process. Among the most important are: Did we achieve the goals we envisioned at the beginning of the project? What impact did we make in the community we served? How has it transformed the lives of individuals and the community? Is the community better off because of our presence? Additional questions include: Did we empower the people or did

we create dependency? Did we respect the human dignity of those we served? If not, what needs to change so the mistake is not repeated? Am I/we spiritually different as a person/Baptist family because I/we related to this community or have been working in partnership with this community? How has this transformed us as a church? Those who receive support from BWAid should enter

into dialogue with the beneficiaries, stakeholders, staff and volunteers and ask these questions, both during and after the completion of each project. Spending time reflecting on what has been done is as important as the project activities and goals achieved. When we take the time to reflect theologically on our work, it not only creates for better projects, it allows for deeper engagement with the community we serve. This exercise will spur Baptist conventions and unions to be engaged in more meaningful missional work and strengthen Christian witness in the communities that are served and beyond. Dates and time should be scheduled to engage in this theological reflection on the project plan.

Rothangliani Chhangte is director of Baptist World Aid.

BWAid BAPTIST WORLD AID BWAid asks:

l Did we achieve the goals we envisioned?

l What impact did we make? l How has it transformed lives? l Is the community better off?

l Did we empower the people or did we create dependency?

l Did we respect human dignity? l Are we spiritually different?

l How has this transformed us as a church?

“Ultimately, we answer to a higher calling from the One who calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked.”

Rothangliani Chhangte

JANUARY/MARCH 2016

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