Ministry with the Poor video
Ministry with the Poor
Poverty is not just a story of developing countries, but an issue that is affecting many communities in the United States of America. “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, and more than 800,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line.” (alabamapossible.org/programs/povertysimulation/)
As a church, we are called to engage our congregations and raise awareness of how we can be in ministry WITH the poor. There is a mutuality of relationship as we share God’s love and grace in our ministries with the poor as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
How can we be in ministry WITH the poor rather than ministry TO/FOR? When we acknowledge and respect cultures, gifts, resources, and practices of a community, we are willing to be equal partners in the mission and work that God is already doing in that community. Engaging in ministry WITH the poor means we are willing to build relationships by knowing the people, learn their story and listen, explore their needs not assumptions, and the willingness to do the hard work of transforming lives. Ministry WITH the poor is a relational-based and transformational ministry.
Go to the people,
Live among them,
Love them,
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But of the best leaders, their task is done,
The people will remark, “We have done it ourselves.”
Our vision in the North Alabama Annual Conference is:
Every church engages in Christian Community Development with a community of need.
Mission:
Build effective ministries with the poor embedded with a path to discipleship.
As a conference, we will be guided by eight principles as we engage in ministry with the poor:
- Relocation
- Reconciliation
- Redistribution
- Leadership
- Listening to the Community
- Church-based
- Wholistic
- Empowerment
To read more about each principle visit http://www.ccda.org/about/philosophy/
Ministry with the Poor Posts

Ministry with the Poor Team to offer training event on September 16
Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of the racial wealth gap in our communities, look at best practices for making a change and explore tangible ministries that might be implemented in our churches and communities. Register by September 7!
August 18, 2023
Creation Care Training coming to North Alabama in October
EarthKeeper training is designed to provide United Methodists with advocacy training on topics of eco-theology, antiracism, and community organizing so that our local churches are better equipped to face the consequences of the climate crisis.
August 11, 2023
Annual Conference 2023: Ministry with the Poor Team wants to equip congregations to build relationships with their communities
The Ministry with the Poor team wants to equip local church outreach ministries to share Christ every day by testifying in a new way by building relationships with their communities.
July 27, 2023

Poverty is not just a story of developing countries, but an issue that is affecting many communities in the United States of America. “Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation, and more than 800,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line.” (alabamapossible.org/programs/povertysimulation/)
As a church, we are called to engage our congregations and raise awareness of how we can be in ministry WITH the poor. There is a mutuality of relationship as we share God’s love and grace in our ministries with the poor as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
How can we be in ministry WITH the poor rather than ministry TO/FOR? When we acknowledge and respect cultures, gifts, resources, and practices of a community, we are willing to be equal partners in the mission and work that God is already doing in that community. Engaging in ministry WITH the poor means we are willing to build relationships by knowing the people, learn their story and listen, explore their needs not assumptions, and the willingness to do the hard work of transforming lives. Ministry WITH the poor is a relational-based and transformational ministry.
Go to the people,
Live among them,
Love them,
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But of the best leaders, their task is done,
The people will remark, “We have done it ourselves.”
Our vision in the North Alabama Annual Conference is:
Every church engages in Christian Community Development with a community of need.
Mission:
Build effective ministries with the poor embedded with a path to discipleship.
As a conference, we will be guided by eight principles as we engage in ministry with the poor:
- Relocation
- Reconciliation
- Redistribution
- Leadership
- Listening to the Community
- Church-based
- Wholistic
- Empowerment
To read more about each principle visit http://www.ccda.org/about/philosophy/
Ministry with the Poor Posts

Ministry with the Poor Team to offer training event on September 16
Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of the racial wealth gap in our communities, look at best practices for making a change and explore tangible ministries that might be implemented in our churches and communities. Register by September 7!
August 18, 2023
Creation Care Training coming to North Alabama in October
EarthKeeper training is designed to provide United Methodists with advocacy training on topics of eco-theology, antiracism, and community organizing so that our local churches are better equipped to face the consequences of the climate crisis.
August 11, 2023
Annual Conference 2023: Ministry with the Poor Team wants to equip congregations to build relationships with their communities
The Ministry with the Poor team wants to equip local church outreach ministries to share Christ every day by testifying in a new way by building relationships with their communities.
July 27, 2023