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Blogging from CCDA
By Jeremy | October 11, 2007
CCDA Economic Development Panel
Jimmy Dorrel, Joe Holland, Amy Sherman; Moderator: Gordon Murphy AS: Theology of economic development. “Yikes, we’re talking about capitalism.†The Bible and free markets: “Be merciful and compassionate to one another.†(Ephesians 4) Revitalizing communities through business development. What are the underlying assumptions and conditions, and how do they relate to Biblical teaching? Overarching Biblical themes that speak to the assumptions and conditions.ASSUMPTIONS
1) Businesses are ok and profit is ok and consistent with Biblical teaching. Bible assumes business markets, otherwise why so many injunctions about how to do it uprightly? Proverbs 31 woman of noble character is a businesswoman. 2) People should be free to utilize the talents and creativity God gave us. A fundamental expression of our identity is to be creative, and business is one way to express it. 3) It’s possible to create new wealth (win/win transactions) that alleviate poverty in real ways. God expects us to “be fruitful and multiply.†He expects us to turn grain into bread. 4) The person that takes the risk ought to be able to enjoy the fruits of that business. God is the ultimate owner of all things. And he made us (human beings) real stewardship responsibility. Real stewardship requires real authority. OT division of Promised Land went to families. In NT Ananius and Saphira got in trouble not because of private property, but for lying. Many other assumptions also.CONDITIONS
1) Low barriers to entry. 2) Access to credit should not be denied for non-economic reasons (gender, race, religion, etc). 3) Strong institutions of public justice to protect the rights of owners (theft), employees (exploitation), and consumers (fraud). JD: Need to understand economics, i.e. the systems how things work. Youth ministry training should include economics courses. Moved into an economically depressed neighborhood that had been victimized by predatory business practices, white flight, redlining etc. Began programs in the early days to serve immediate needs of kids and families. Struggled to learn the difference between charity and empowerment. There’s never enough money. How do we create dignity beyond just donating money. Grew up with a “rugged individualism†work ethic, but his community didn’t know how to work or have the skills to do so effectively. Discovered historical baggage. Luther and Calvin redeemed concept of work after centuries of elitism that looked down on it. There’s a difference between career and vocation. We need to empower “call clarification,†where people understand God’s unique call on their lives. Enlightenment corrupted that with “rugged individualism†where our lives became our own and not our Creator’s.TRENDS
+ Tension between empowerment and “cheap charity.†+ Need to move beyond just accessing money to restoring dignity. + Redeveloping blighted neighborhoods beyond culture of poverty. + Investing in kids to break cycle of generational poverty. + Advocacy to raise awareness among business community of need to give kids and single moms a chance even if they appear less qualified. JH: Beyond programs: Practical strategies. 26 years ago as a Harvard Law student a sermon by John Perkins inspired him to pursue community development in Harvard Faith-based entrepreneurship and real estate developmentBiblical basis
+ 2 Kings 4:1-7 – widow about to lose her sons as slaves to creditors. Instead of a fundraising drive, prophet empowered her to start a business. “What’s in your hand?†Business plan combined with God’s grace earned enough money to pay off debts and ive off increase. Strategy out of poverty was starting an oil business. Started Hark Homes homeless shelter. Developed holistic hardware life skills class and funded shelter by starting businesses that employed residents: Financial service and travel business & the first inner city Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop. One of the first national franchises that came into Harlem. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT + Service opportunity + market opportunity = Triple bottom line (financial, social, and community profit) REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT + Churches developing real property to serve the community + Assessment of asset + plan for asset + development of asset = Triple Bottom Line RISKS + Market (if consumers don’t want product) + Performance (if you fail to deliver) + Spiritual (temptations of greed etc)Q&A
Q: Write the vision and make it plan. How do we help churches write business plans? A: JH: There’s an education cost. Learning curve. Q: How do you balance grace and accountability in transition people into a work ethic? A: JD: (Phase 1) Pre-employment class teaching 13 skills over 3 months; (phase 2) followed by internship opportunities where CDC pays stipends with (phase 3) the opportunity for them to get hired. 50% success rate Q: Challenge of risk-based premium pricing when inner city challenges are so entrenched A: JH: Public/private ventures that help alleviate the risks. Q: Micro-enterprise is great, but how do we prepare people to get hired by existing companies? A: JD: US is behind the curve on micro-enterprise and has lots to learn from global efforts. The up-side is dignity that comes with owning their own businesses. Q: How do we deal with fear that caused people to abandon neighborhoods? A: JH: Gentrification has arisen as fear has subsided in certain neighborhoods.Topics: amy sherman, ccda, economic development, jimmy dorrell, joe holland, poverty | No Comments »
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