A long time ago, I made this bibliography of Church-based Community Transformation (CBCT) books that influenced my thinking. This list is based on books I have. I know that many of the following are “US-centric” but many of the principles still apply. I haven’t read all these books (I’ve read all of some, some of some and none of a few - some book covers are just too informative!). It is a bit out of date. I hope to update it sometime.
Beals, Art. Beyond Hunger: A Biblical Mandate for Social Responsibility. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press. 1985
Chester, Tim. Good News to the Poor: Sharing the gospel through social involvement. Leicester, UK: Inter-Varsity Press. 2004.
Chester argues that social involvement and evangelism are essential if a church is to be true to its mission to be the people of God. He looks at the biblical basis for social involvement and links it to the witness of the church.
Chester, Tim, editor. Justice, Mercy, and Humility: Integral Mission and the Poor. Cumbria, UK: Paternoster Press. 2002.
This book makes a good case for thinking of social justice issues and evangelism together (integrated) rather than separate issues. It also includes case studies worth reading.
Christian, Jayakumar. God of the Empty-handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God. Monrovia, CA: MARC. 1999.
This book is organized around learning. The three parts are: Learning from History; Learning from the Poor; and Learning about the Kingdom of God. We are often weak on learning, especially from the poor. Christian does not allow us to continue that way.
Conn, Harvie M. A Clarified Vision for Urban Mission: Dispelling the Urban Stereotypes. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 1987
In this book, Conn tries to reveal the truths about urban mission, separating fact from fiction. He looks at 7 different myths analyzing what is true and pointing out what is false.
Conn, Harvie M. Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Press. 1982.
This book will challenge how we separate evangelism and social action. I especially like the idea that prayer is a powerful tool to connect them both.
Conn, Harvie M. and others. The Urban Face of Missions: Ministering the Gospel in a Diverse and Changing World. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing 2002.
Conn, Harvie M. and Manuel Ortiz. Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & the People of God. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press. 2001.
Dunahoo, Charles H. Making Kingdom Disciples: A New Framework. Phillipsburg, NJ.: P&R Publishing. 2005
From the back: “Dunahoo defines true religion as biblical, covenantal, and kingdom oriented. “ (George C. Fuller). Someone, somewhere, should examine the covenantal implications of the way we do development. Maybe it could start with how we make disciples?
Fuder, John, general editor. A Heart for the City: Effective Ministries to the Urban Community. Chicago: Moody Press. 1999.
This is a collection of essays by various authors on urban ministry. The essay on the philosophy of urban ministry by Wayne Gordon, which is included in this CD, is from this book.
Gornik, Mark R. To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. 2002.
Gornik weaves the story of New Song Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland with a solid study of urban missions.
Greenway, Roger S. editor. Discipling the City: Theological Reflections on Urban Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. 1979
This book contains many useful essays on the challenges of making disciples in an urban context.
Grigg, Viv. Companion to the Poor: Christ in the Urban Slums. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publications. 1997.
Cry of the Urban Poor. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publications. 1997.
Jacobsen, Eric I. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press. 2003.
Jacobsen considers how the space/place of cities impacts our spirituality and how we minister. He presents a compelling case that the community is influenced by how space is used and urges us to a human-view of how we seek the transformation of our cities.
Keller, Tim. Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing. 1997.
This is an excellent book to work through with deacons concerned with mercy ministries. Even though it is heavily “US-centric” it should be required reading for all pastors and deacon candidates. It deals with principles (which we like) and practice (which deacons like).
Resources for Deacons: Love Expressed through Mercy Ministries. Atlanta: Christian Ed and Publicaitons. 1985
This book, also by Tim Keller, is a very practical book of outlines, charts, and forms for the deacons of any church. Some of the principles and practices are also in the document on the biblical basis for mercy ministries also on this CD.
Kraybill, Donald B. The Upside Down Kingdom. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press. 1990.
This book challenges us to actually favor those at the margins of society. It is written from an Anabaptist perspective.
McNeil, Brenda Salter and Rick Richardson. The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. 2004.
Development is about reconciliation. Racial reconciliation is a powerful testimony to the world of the difference Christ makes. This book argues that racism must be addressed through internal change as well as community transformation.
Myers, Bryant L. Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books. 2002.
This is an excellent introduction to transformational development. One can argue about how practical this book is but it is very thoughtful. The Chalmers Center used to use it as a main text for their introductory course on Community Development.
Working with the Poor: New Insights and Learnings from Development Practictioners. Colorado Springs, CO: Authentic Publishing. 2008
One criticism I’ve heard about Walking with the Poor is that it isn’t practical. I’ve never understood this comment as I find it immensely practical. It is usually made by people whose perspective is so different that they cannot relate to the idea of transformational development as Myers presents it. This book should help them. It is the proceedings of a meeting of experts in the field. Well worth reading with Walking with the Poor.
Ortiz, Manuel. One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. 1996
I think the subtitle says it all.
Perkins, John. With Justice for All. Ventura, CA: Regal Books. 1984
This book had a profound impact on our family at just the right time. Perkins outlines the 3 R’s of Christian Community Development.
Rowell, John. To Give or Not to Give: Rethinking Dependency, Restoring Generosity, and Redefining Sustainability. Atlanta, GA: Authentic Books. 2006
This book challenges the three-self paradigm for missional church planting (self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting) by examining our motives for giving. Are we stingy because we think otherwise we’ll do no good? Rowel challenges us to give to local-initiated ministries in a sense of global partnership. One challenge is to allow the locals to administer the money. Give the money and allow them to implement according to their plan.
Scott, Waldron. Bring Forth Justice: A Contemporary Perspective on Mission. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1980
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Nottingham: IVP. 2007
This book presents missions in a completely holistic and completely Biblical fashion. Wright contends (and backs up his contention) that the whole Bible is missional, and holistically missional. God’s intent is a missional intent and only as we are faithful to this calling are we doing God’s will.
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