Naslov
Towards an Evangelical Missiology of Humanitarian Aid Ministry

Autori
Balog, Antal

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Ocjenski radovi, doktorska disertacija

Fakultet
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Mjesto
South Hamilton, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Datum
05.04

Godina
2007

Stranica
376

Mentor
Kuzmič, Peter

Neposredni voditelj
Harper, Anne

Ključne riječi
church; humanitarian ministry; missiology; christian aid

Sažetak
At the end of 1991, a group of pastors and deacons of the Evangelical Church in the Republic of Croatia established a new organization for humanitarian aid named Agape. After fifteen years of continuous activities and efforts, during which Agape established numerous branch offices in many areas (republics and provinces) of the former Yugoslavia, it was deemed important to thoroughly assess the extent to which Agape activities had contributed to the decrease of human suffering. I started my research for this purpose, desiring to integrally investigate both the results of Agape’s humanitarian activities and the ways in which Agape’s founder (the Evangelical Church) has been changed throughout its humanitarian engagement. Agape emerged after one hundred Evangelical churches committed to publicly, responsibly and efficiently respond to the needs created by the war. The organization also dealt with the painful consequences of the social and economic transitions which all post-communist countries in Eastern Europe went through. The decision to found and later to expand Agape significantly contributed not only to decreasing general suffering, but also led to an inevitable change in the identity of the Church itself, transforming the Evangelical Church’s public activity and behaviour on different levels. It also became clear that more research would be needed as many other Christian humanitarian organizations began simultaneously to operate as non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations. As they gradually become part of the civil sector, which was, for them an unfamiliar area, they began to be confronted by numerous management-related problems (especially given the rapid initial expansion of these ministries, in terms of span, diversity, and territory). They urgently needed professional help in order to meet these challenges, especially in the area of adopting and using management methods, and their operational adjustment to new theological viewpoints related to church mission. Another aim of this work is to offer professional assistance to all individuals and organizations that want to make a more signifi-cant impact than they have in the past within their humanitarian or social church organizations. Although in Croatia there is no specialized literature on topics related to humanitarian and social work/assistance as part of church mission activities (not to mention a complete lack of scientific and expert studies) it is possible – though with necessary adjustments – to make use of the rich and diverse foreign experience and managerial solutions. My point of reference is to research and provide managerial insight for use by church organizations expanding into diverse and unfamiliar areas, and to use Agape’s humanitarian work as a case study. Although the bulk of my expertise was related to economy and management, I have also studied theology throughout a significant part of my life. I have had experience working, first, in a printing house, then as a lecturer of economy in a secondary school, and finally, as a functionary in town government administration for ten years. Besides that, I was also a long-time volunteer in Agape where I put to use the experience and skills I gained through my professional work. The continuity of my activities within Agape has given me a thorough knowledge of this organization from its beginnings through all the stages of its development. This involvement has also provided me with insight into humanitarian work in Croatia, which was an additional motive for my researching and writing about this topic. This work is comprised of several parts. In the introduction, I have articulated the main themes and dilemmas related to the area of research, as well as definitions and classifications of terms. Throughout the following chapters, I discuss the biblical theology of Evangelical humanitarian activity with special emphasis on the social ethics and social responsibility of the churches, and the relation between the Gospel and culture, or, in other words, how this relation results in the social engagement of churches. Based on this, it was possible to provide theological insight into the correlation between humanitarian work and the imperative of evangelization. In the following chapters, this study describes the work of church humanitarian organizations attempting to define their mission and vision, aims and principles of work, program orientation and target groups, as well as other aspects. While describing types of humanitarian assistance, this study lists different modalities of humanitarian assistance with a special analysis on the efficacy of the particular aid given from a viewpoint of success in evangelization and the rise of new churches. The role of volunteerism is another focus of this work, since it is considered vitally important for the humanitarian organizations and there is a long tradition of volunteerism, both in churches and para-church organizations. Additionally, because of the importance of fundraising, public relations, and publicity (in general), this study briefly explores appropriate methods for humanitarian organizations to use. Subsequently this study analyzes a possible model for a successful and efficient humanitarian organization in the framework of churches. My starting point is to define an integral, consistent, descriptive, and self-sustaining model with efficient mechanisms for resource management, management of projects and crises, as well as networking with other organizations. After this first theoretical part, follows a detailed description of how Agape was founded and operated in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), Kosovo and Macedonia. This chapter ends with an evaluation using standardized criteria for humanitarian and mission work, and the method of comparing both aspects of Agape’s work, followed by relevant conclusions. At the very end of this study is the list of conclusions in a synthesized and itemized manner. The first and basic purpose of this research is to increase information and enrich knowledge about church humanitarian and social activities, since this is a relatively new area of engagement for the Protestant church communities in South-Eastern Europe. Therefore, the research I present may be beneficial to all who want to be more involved with humanitarian work in para-church organizations. Apart from this, I am convinced that some of the results I present on these pages can motivate others to become engaged in humanitarian and social service as professionals or volunteers on a temporary or permanent basis. Furthermore, it may encourage those already so engaged to improve their work using approaches that are more creative. Nonetheless, this text is primarily intended for the professional public, in particular for students of theology, pastors, priests, church deacons, and others interested in this area. The author does not expect that every reader of this work will agree with my view-points and conclusions, but the least the author anticipates is that the reader will be challenged to expand his/her thinking and activity. The Missiology of humanitarian and social work in the Balkans is an entirely unexplored area, so every input may be considered important and relevant. The readers must judge how this research will contribute to humanitarian practice and theory, and their constructive critique will be accepted with gratitude.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Teologija

POVEZANOST RADA