The practice of hospitality toward the poor, while valued by all faith traditions, is often a practice that is neglected. Here we will be sharing stories, books, movies, websites and other resources that promote this practice. This list is not meant to be exhaustive but instead reflects those resources that have shaped the Embrace Richmond team.
Great books on urban ministry and community development:
Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor
by Robert Lupton
Beyond Charity: The Call to Christian Community Development by John M. Perkins
Street Saints: Renewing America’s Cities by Barbara J. Elliott (Paperback – Sep 1, 2006)
Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use Strategic Thinking to Build a Brighter Future by Suzanne W. Morse (Hardcover – Mar 18, 2004)
Books about the church and the christian call to care for the poor
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne
The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson
Prior to writing the Externally Focused Church, Eric Swanson wrote a paper titeled “Ten Paradigm Shifts Toward Community Transformation” which can be downloaded for free from the Leadership Network Website www.leadnet.org. This paper shaped my thinking about the church and it’s call in the world more than any other resoures.
The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community (J-B Leadership Network Series) by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay (Hardcover – April 14, 2008)
Books based on true life stories of homeless individuals and those who care for them
Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent (Paperback – Mar 11, 2008)
Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America by Mike Yankowski (Library Binding – April 2005
The first grant Embrace Richmond recieved as a “Practice Grant” from Valparaiso University for the practice of Christian Hospitality. On this site you will find a many resources and you will also find links to hundreds of projects funded through this program. There are a lot of really creative ideas for anyone seeking to practice their faith in a creative way in the world.
