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    Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
    Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
    Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
    Audiobook5 hours

    Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)

    Written by Robert D. Lupton

    Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In his four decades of urban ministry, Robert D. Lupton has experienced firsthand how our good intentions can have unintended, dire consequences. We fly off on mission trips to poverty-stricken villages, hearts full of pity and suitcases bulging with giveaways-trips that one Nicaraguan leader describes as effective only in "turning my people into beggars."

    In Toxic Charity, Lupton urges individuals, churches, and organizations to step away from these spontaneous, often destructive acts of compassion and toward thoughtful paths to community development. He delivers proven strategies for moving from toxic charity to transformative charity.

    Proposing a powerful "Oath for Compassionate Service," Lupton offers all the tools and inspiration we need to develop healthy, community-driven programs that produce deep, measurable, and lasting change. Everyone who volunteers or donates to charity needs to wrestle with this book.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJan 6, 2015
    ISBN9781494578503
    Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)
    Author

    Robert D. Lupton

    ROBERT D. LUPTON is founder and president of FCS (Focused Community Strategies) Urban Ministries and author of Toxic Charity;  Theirs Is the Kingdom; Return Flight; Renewing the City; Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life; and the widely circulated “Urban Perspectives” newsletter. He has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia. To learn more, visit www.fcsministries.org.

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    Reviews for Toxic Charity

    4/5

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    • 5/5
      Got me to think in away I have not about Charity.
      I will be more conscientious from here on out.

      There is a local Teen Challenge that operates the way suggested in this book and they have been very successful.

      The directed suggested I read this book prior to volunteering for his organization.

      I highly recommend !!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Interesting concepts around charity. Looks at charity as either "crisis" intervention or "community development", but often charity ends up in the first category simply because it is easier, quicker and gives the donor a positive feeling. Stresses looking at charity and its effects from the receiver's point of view. Worth the read but a bit disorganized and repetitious.
    • 4/5
      If I could. I would give this 3.5 stars. It has some amazing insights. One of many people need to take a long look at; mission trips. If you get nothing else, please get you need to examine who benefits from mission trips. One downfall, my opinion, is some of the material seems to lack real evidence or data for its conclusions. There is a lot of talk about “the unsaid” when dealing with urban charities and how people think about charity with no assurance of an interview or asking. It seems like the author really believes in his “Protestant work ethic” and “a good day’s work will set you free” attitudes. I’m not convinced. Please read the book. Take from it what you will, there is a lot of good stuff. Question what needs more evidence, and find out through doing.
    • 4/5
      Christians are frequently very charitable people. However, sometimes our charity given to the most disadvantaged can ultimately be ineffective or harmful. Our best intentions may too frequently disempower the individual, strip away the work ethic and foster and sustain dependency. The author, who worked 30 years in urban renewal in Atlanta informs the reader in the charitable pitfalls and provides strategies in providing assistance while maintaining the dignity of those being helped. This book is an eye-opener and a must read for anyone who coordinates assistance to the disadvantaged.