Restorers of Hope: Reaching the Poor in Your Community with Church-Based Ministries that Work

by Amy L. Sherman

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.

Genres: College

254 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Dr. Amy L. Sherman is a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, where she directs the Center on Faith in Communities. She likes to describe the work of the Center as that of being “a minister to ministries.” She provides training and consulting to churches and nonprofits seeking to transform their communities for the common good.

Dr. Sherman is the author of six books and some 75+ published articles in such diverse periodicals as Christianity Today, First Things, The Public Interest, Policy Review, Prism, The Christian Century, and Books & Culture.

She serves as the Editorial Director for FASTEN, a capacity building project for faith-based organizations that offers a robust website of practical resources for ministry practitioners.

Sherman is the founder and former Executive Director of Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries, an Evangelical nonprofit assisting low-income, inner-city families. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Christian Community Development Association for several years.

Reviews

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that talks about how the best way to help the poor is to not only teach, but to build relationships as well.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handbook on the economics of charity. I had to read this for school, but plan to recommend it to others, because it is enormously practical, even if the sections on government policy are a couple decades out of date.

[Sarah Moon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd give it a zero if I could, this book ENRAGED me. Racist, classist, homophobic.