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Articles to download

A range of articles to stimulate thinking and action by both groups and individuals.

Article contributions are welcomed! To share your thoughts and experiences, please read our guidelines for article contributors, then email your article to mharding@livability.org.uk.

Don't forget the practical tools and other resources pages as well as our stories section too...

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    The articles below are listed under the following headings:

    General Biblical & theological reflection

    Please note

    • To download pdfs you will need  free Adobe Reader software
    • The views expressed in these articles are those of the individual author, and are not necessarily those held by Livability and Tearfund.


    About integral mission

    The challenge of integral mission

    Looking at the lives of Jesus himself, the prophets and
    some of those who have most inspired us, we discover that following him should have a profound affect on all aspects
    of our lives.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability



    What does integral mission look like

    Tearfund s working definition of integral mission, plus an analysis of the key characteristics in explaining the concept to a range of audiences.

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    Published by:
    Tearfund



    What does salvation mean in your local community?

    This article finds that the biblical picture of salvation is rich and multi-faceted. It then unpacks the four ways of describing salvation – all of which involve both personal and social change.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability



    Tearfund's understanding of integral mission & key biblical themes

    Unpacks the key biblical themes of integral mission looking at the character of God, the reign of God and the grace of God.

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    Published by:
    Tulo Raistrick, Tearfund



    Case studies of integral mission in practice

    Four short case studies from the UK, Brazil, Mali and the Philippines, showing how local churches have put integral mission into practice and what it means to them.

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    Published by:
    Tearfund



    The Micah Declaration on integral mission

    The Community Mission partners support the Micah Challenge. The declaration is a core statement of the movement and the principles of integral mission.

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    Published by:
    Micah Challenge

    See also:
    The Micah Challenge Integral Mission Library

    General biblical & theological reflection

    Proper confidence in the gospel - the theology of Lesslie Newbigin

    Jon Kuhrt explains his passion for the writings of Lesslie Newbigin - specifically his teaching on the gospel as public truth and the true meaning of the doctrine of election.


    Published by:

    Jon Kuhrt, Livability


    Comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable

    An analysis of Jesus’ encounters with the rich and the poor in the gospel of Matthew

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability

    See also:
    A review of The Poverty & Justice Bible

    The theme of social justice in the Bible

    From creation to new creation, a thematic look at the biblical references that demonstrate God's heart for social justice.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability

    What the Bible says about social justice (powerpoint presentation)

    A powerpoint presentation looking at the themes of creation, fall, redemption and new creation, all of which demonstrate God s heart for social justice.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability

    A review of The Poverty and Justice Bible

    Despite some reservations about the highlighted text method, this Bible Society/World Vision version of the Bible does illustrate more effectively than ever that the Bible speaks of a God who cares passionately about poverty and justice.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability



    Getting Practical in Church, community & wider society

    Families Valued

    As an activist working in deprived communities, Jon Kuhrt hears a lot about structural poverty but finds the topic of family breakdown frustratingly off-limits. He argues that the urgency of the issue requires us to overcome the political prejudices and assumptions that surround the issue.


    Written by:
    Jon Kuhrt

    See also: Putting family back into community

    Submerging - dimensions of incarational ministry and some practical considerations

    In chapter 5 of his book 'Sub-merge - Living deep in a shallow world.  Service, justice and contemplation among the world's poor' John argues that the world needs more 'words made flesh' and discusses incarnational ministry as a model, a method, a message and a spiritual discipline.


    Written by:
    John B Hayes

    Published by:
    Regal Books

    Time to get a piece of the action - how the Assemblies of God in Northern Ireland are getting on board with community mission

    An article showing that God is at work in his Church in
    Northern Ireland shifting the focus outward towards the
    local community using resources such as Just People? and the Discovery Course.


    Written by:
    Joy Magazine

    Published by:
    AOG  

    Serving with distinction: community action and other faiths

    In this chapter from his book 'Distinctly Welcoming - Christian presence in a multi-faith society', Richard looks at how the distinctives of Christiantity can be worked out in practice in church community projects and their interaction with other faiths.

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    Published by:
    Richard Sudworth



    Getting started in community mission

    Some basic steps, key principles and practical advice for church leaders and others on engaging well with your local community.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability



    Tearfund's ROOTS Series

    ROOTS stands for Resourcing Organisations with Opportunities for Transformation and Sharing. The publications aim to help Christian development organisations by providing detailed information on relevant topics. They are designed to help staff study and use them together.

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    Published by:
    Tearfund



    Putting family back into community

    Jon Kuhrt argues that the biggest change in the UK could come through a transformed approach to commitment within the family.

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    Published by:
    Jon Kuhrt, Livability

    See also: Families Valued



    What kind of harvest are you reaping? 

    Effective community work involves identifying, preparing for and enjoying a range of harvests. We need to adjust our activities according to the short and long term effects and make sure we are not focusing so much on the activities or the projects - which are only the tools - that we lose sight of those harvests.

    Published by:
    David Arscott, Livability



    Building trust in the community - how churches can build social capital

    Using the story of St Clement’s Barkerend, in inner city Bradford, where the women from the church got together with the women from the local mosque, the article examines how the sharing of stories builds bridges between groups and enables relationships to bond which can transform the community.

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    Published by:
    David Arscott, Livability

     

    The flow of the gospel - or 'aren't you just trying to get me to come to church?

    Our thinking is always about moving people towards God. But this is the opposite of the flow of the gospel which is about a transforming love flowing from God to people. God sent Jesus to take His love. Jesus sent his disciples, He sends us. Pulling people against the flow can highlight problems...

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    Published by:
    David Arscott, Livability



    Disability and the Urban Church - A CANDL discussion Paper

    James Ashdown, who was a CANDL Project Worker, asks what more churches can and should be doing to welcome and include disabled people.
    NB: CANDL was a Barnardos project which closed in 2009

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    Published by:
    James Ashdown, Barnardo's



    For your encouragement...

    Making the most of the moment

    The Bible warns us not to be so preoccupied with what it calls the chronos, or 'the time' that we miss what it calls the kairos, or 'the moments', when people are more open than closed and we have the opportunity to develop significant relationships.

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    Published by:
    Dave Andrews, presented at the 2008 Livability/Tearfund retreat



    Practising hope in the midst of hopelessness

    Dave Andrews looks at a depressing world but challenges us and himself to find ways of seeing the good and positive in life so that we can continue to serve God, our families and neighbours.

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    Published by:
    Dave Andrews, presented at the 2008 Livability/Tearfund retreat