A Revolution of Compassion: Faith-Based Groups as Full Partners in Fighting America's Social Problems
by Dave Donaldson and Stanley Carlson-Thies
Baker Books (2003)
Paperback, 208 pages
ISBN: 0801064457
God's concern for the poor is one of the central themes of the Bible. But with nearly 12 percent of Americans living in poverty and despair, it's obvious God's people are not fulfilling this critical calling. Reasons for failure are many, but recent changes in government policy and attitude offer the church of the twenty-first century a new opportunity to expand its role in helping society.
A Revolution of Compassion explores the practical, political, and legal issues associated with government funding of faith-based organizations. By cooperating with the government and the private sector, faith-based agencies can address the problems of homelessness, unemployment, and rehabilitation while augmenting practical help with spiritual hope. Using powerful personal stories and interviews with prominent leaders, this well-rounded discussion calls Christians deeper into the journey of bringing God's grace and truth to those who are suffering.
Author Information
Dave Donaldson is founder of We Care America (WCA) in Washington, D.C., a national nonprofit organization that unites, strengthens, and multiplies effective social service ministries.
Stanley Carlson-Thies, formerly of the White House Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, is acting director of the Civitas Program in Faith & Public Affairs at the Center for Public Justice in Annapolis, MD, where he also serves as a fellow.
What Others Are Saying
"This book is timely, well written, and well titled.... I believe this book will serve a vital role in preserving and propelling [the] moral-biblical mandate to care for the neediest of our citizens. The authors have added great value to this movement by clearly and persuasively chronicling the past, present, and future challenges and opportunities for all Americans in this Revolution of Compassion." -- J. C. Watts, Jr. (from the Forward)
"Faith-based solutions to our nation's social problems are the wave of the future. Donaldson and Carlson-Thies provide a clear explanation of the thinking behind faith-based initiatives, dispel persistent and damaging myths about faith-based solutions, and provide practical advice to encourage Christians toward compassionate service." -- Charles W. Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries
"The 'revolution of compassion' that Stanley Carlson-Thies and Dave Donaldson write about in this thought-provoking book is a work in progress. Agree with their analysis or not—and I agree, but only in part—they have furnished a formidable foundation for future debates and discussions about faith-based approaches to poverty and other social ills." -- John J. DiIulio Jr., Frederic Fox Leadership Professor, University of Pennsylvania; nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; and former director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
"At last someone has told us what it is, how it works, and what we should do." -- Doug Wead, former special assistant to President George H. W. Bush
"Faith-based organizations will avoid many of the pitfalls of government and corporate partnerships by reading A Revolution of Compassion."-- Robert E. Reccord, president, North American Mission Board, SBC
"The ideas in this book give me great hope for America. When churches, businesses, and governments collaborate, mighty things can happen to cause productive change in communities.-- Bob Buford, founder, Leadership Network
Interviews
Tony Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology, Eastern College; founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education; widely known Christian speaker and author
U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania
Wade Horn, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services
Bishop Eddie Long, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia
Bishop George McKinney, Church of God in Christ Worldwide, St. Stephen's Church, San Diego, California
Bob Buford, founder, Leadership Network, Author of Halftime
Rev. Dan de Leon, senior pastor, Templo Calvario, Santa Ana, California, the largest bilingual church in the United States
Claudia Horn, President, Performance Results, Inc.
Mac McQuiston, VP, Focus on the Family, President, CEO Forum
Lt. Colonel Paul Bollwahn, National Secretary for Salvation Army
Bob Reccord, President, Southern Baptist North American Mission Board
Tom McCallie, Executive Director, The Maclellan Foundation
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