The role of local churches in humanitarian and development responses

Tearfund’s approach to humanitarian and development response is to work wherever possible
with and through the local church. This is because, as a Christian NGO, Tearfund considers
itself to have a specific calling to work alongside local communities of Christians to help bring
transformation to the lives of those living in poverty. Whilst acknowledging that the church
is a flawed human institution, and that no one is beyond reproach, Tearfund believes that,
at its best, the church is an organisation with the potential to help reshape the lives of the
communities it serves across the world.
This approach brings three key advantages to international development work, in that local
churches are:

  • Integral
  • Inspirational
  • Influential

See below for the report or go to Tearfund’s website for more information on the faith-based approach

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