The New Outreach

Sandra S. Swan, Church Publishing, $35.95

Most of us want to make a difference in the world and usually we want that to be a positive one.

Most of us in the Church are interested or involved in social justice or charity work.

Here is a book that lays out a clear, step-by-step approach to planning how we can make a difference in the most effective way.

It is well laid out and very practical.

This ABC Planning Guide presents a new approach for people to consider. It is centred on Accomplishment, Action and Advocacy.

Accomplishment is about concentrating on what we want to achieve rather than just starting with what we want to do.

Action is about focusing on what the problem is that needs to be solved in order to help people rather than focusing on the people who need help as the problem.

Advocacy is about developing wisdom so that we can see when a problem needs to be addressed directly by us or may better be solved by addressing the barriers that prevent an obvious solution first.

This book helps us all spend our efforts, actions and money better and more wisely to maximise the good that they can do.

As the blurb on the back says, it is a “workbook for good works” and provides “the newest ways to honour the oldest ideals”.

This book is probably a must for any church or group involved in social justice or charity fund raising.

The Rev. Jon Humphries