Reporting from The Buckle of the Bible Belt

Larry James to those from rich suburban churches volunteering at his church in inner city Dallas:

Jesus also said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This means that the highest good is to place another person in a position where he or she can give. This is the theology back of our decision to invite the poor to become givers. In such a setting of "role reversal," our need for "help" changes dramatically. Volunteers need to grapple with this new point of view before they come.

Comments

[Dan Bassill]

Thanks Phil for posting this, and for drawing attention to the Tutor/Mentor Blog Exchange.

I met Larry through the Give and Take blog, which I learned about from reading a Gift Hub article. We've exchanged ideas via email and I'm now encouraging him to blog with us via http://tutormentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/volunteers-tutormentor-leaders-donors.html

It takes time to build a network of people working for a common goal, but as others pitch in to help, we have greater chances of success.

[Phil]

Larry certainly seems like a remarkable leader. I hope to meet him someday soon.

[Jeremy Gregg]

Thanks for citing Larry's blog, Phil! I would love to bring you -- and anyone else! -- over to our food pantry and resource center so that you can see what we mean by allowing the poor to become givers. Hundreds of people who originally came to us in need of food have come back to us as volunteers, and we have a great community in the heart of the inner city.

Jeremy

[Phil]

You do great work with great spirit. Another Dallas in the heart of Dallas.