In last month's issue, we introduced the concept of holistic community development. This month, we will take a deeper look at what it means to be holistic.
As the name indicates, a holistic approach means taking care of something as a whole. Let's use human beings as example. Humans are formed of body, mind, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23), all of which must be taken into consideration when working with people. We have to look into their lives to learn the level of stress and psychological pressure and fatigue that they experience. We have to find out about their spirituality in order to provide spiritual care and nurture their lives.
Applying the holistic approach to a community means
we must look into all the arenas that compose a communal life. It includes spiritual, physical, social, economic, educational, environmental, athletic, and cultural aspects that make a community as a whole. In addition,
we will find the individuals within the community; individuals and their bodies, minds, and spirits that are affected and influenced by the complex landscape of the community. These aspects that form a community must be balanced in order to working properly.
When we prepare individuals and groups to serve domestically or overseas, we study the community where we will be serving so that our work and support will be assets to and complements of the existing community. Our purpose is to build up the community and the individuals therein, so we assess the needs and tailor our service accordingly. From small initiatives within a small group to large initiatives that involve the broader community, we take a holistic approach to community development.
Please, contact us. Send you questions. Sign up to receive this Newsletter. We would love to share with you about our efforts to make holistic community development possible.
