Overview

"How do Christian organizations, engaged in development work, effectively facilitate the holistic transformation of communities? In this important contribution to the field, Dr. Stephen Yashim reviews the participatory, problem-solving approaches commonly utilized by Christian relief and development organizations in Nigeria. Dr. Yashim highlights the failure of current methods to facilitate dialogue between the biblical worldview with its divine, transformative potential, and the worldview of local rural communities. In order for rural communities to progressively experience biblical shalom - the total well-being of the whole and its members - they must be equipped to examine and articulate their own perspective on development while also engaging with biblical perspectives. Dr. Yashim proposes an alternative approach of ""participatory appreciative dialogue"" to be used alongside more traditional methods in pursuit of community transformation. This is an excellent resource for anyone engaged in community development and transformation, and who longs to experience biblical shalom poured out among individuals and communities."

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9781839730542

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Reviews

The quest for a holistic transformation of rural communities through a sustainable framework in Africa has indeed been a challenge over the years. A participatory appreciative dialogue approach has been developed by Stephen Z. Yashim as a working and sustainable method for holistic rural community development to facilitate the application of biblical shalom. His qualitative engagements with the sampled participants during the data collection and the results obtained afterward have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the proposed framework is worth adopting as a supplement to the existing frameworks that are still not yielding adequate results. I am convinced Yashim's model in this book is relevant for the African context. Hence, the rural communities will get involved in meaningful services with biblical guidance for their own development, and they will appreciate and feel recognized for their contributions with the help of God almighty. Ruth Enoch Adamu, PhD Department of Arts Education (Religion Education), University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria I highly recommend this practical book with its detailed case studies for any Christian who wants to improve their work in community development. As a result of this innovative approach in two Nigerian villages, using appreciative inquiry and dialogue with the biblical narrative, each community mobilized and accomplished a project using their local resources. I will also use this book as a handy reference when I need a summary of the theories of global and community development, theologies of development and missio Dei, analysis of worldviews, and the concepts of biblical shalom. Mary S. Crickmore West Africa Ministry Team Leader, World Renew Rev. Dr. Stephen Yashim's research Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria is not only relevant to the Nigerian context but addresses a global phenomenon. The study which advocates for an application of biblical shalom by means of participatory dialogue with the biblical worldview for sustainable transformation of rural communities was born out of shortcomings of the traditional approaches to human needs which were based on mere relief and not transformation. The study is well presented, logical, and coherent. The necessary and relevant concepts are well researched and discussed regarding developments within the field of community development. I have read this work with great excitement. It is commendable for academic and practical use by promoters of human dignity. Ephraim Yoms, PhD Director, People Oriented Development, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Author Information

STEPHEN Z. YASHIM has a PhD from ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria. He has served as a minister of the gospel for over twenty years and is currently a pastor with the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He has taught at various theological institutions in Kaduna and Abuja in Nigeria and was a dental therapist with the Kaduna State Government of Nigeria for thirteen years prior to engaging in full time ministry.

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