I’ve been participating in an online small group exercise called, “Seeking Shalom,” hosted by the Lupton Center in Atlanta Georgia.

To Learn more click this link:  Seeking Shalom

I’ve learned about the 5 Core Principles for Seeking Shalom …

1. Seeking Shalom is MUTUAL (relationship based).

   • Do I see “those people” I’m wanting to help as people like me, or as my projects?

   • Do I recognize that personal involvement is relational.

   • Do I understand that we are better responders when we know one another.

2. Seeking Shalom is PARTICIPATORY (full participation by all involved).

   • Those we are seeking to help must be involved in articulating the vision and the solution for change.

   • The Book of Nehemiah teaches that everybody in the neighborhood needs to be responsible for their part of the “wall” where they live. We all need to be invested in building our own neighborhood.

   • An example of this is the Atlanta Food Co-Op. “There are no providers or clients. There are only owners! Dignity tastes good!”

   • The way of Jesus is not transactional, but deeply relational. “When you are in poverty the culture is isolating you; and you want to hide. (You’re) made to feel like you have a sickness. That’s why some people would rather go hungry than go to a pantry.”

3. Seeking Shalom is HOLISTIC.

   • There needs to be an integrated and comprehensive development strategy.

4. Seeking Shalom ENGAGES THE MIND.

   • Compassion (heart) plus thinking well (mind) are both needed.

5. Seeking Shalom MEASURES IMPACT versus activities.

   • We need to ask ourselves, “What does success look like?”

   • See: Flourishing Neighborhood Index for guidance in measuring whether your efforts are working.

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  Jeremiah 29:7