Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together and Doing It Right

The 3Rs (Relocation, living in community; Reconciliation, loving God and loving people; and Redistribution, empowering the community) call us to reconsider "parachute in, we're here to help you" approaches. Perkins reminds us that community is about relationship and commitment over time. Leadership, influence and the capacity to truly see the world through a community's eyes requires us to become part of the community. Central to the ideas put forth around Christian Community Development is the importance of a deep understanding of a community's values around belonging, significance, and security. What are the values in the community, how do those values inform what's possible and what's necessary? I appreciated Perkins reminder that there are no cookie cutter solutions, community development and capacity building arises in relationship accompanied by an ethic of care, deep listening, and communication.

This. This book revolutionized my thinking around how to love and invest in people in a side-by-side, life-on-life way. This was assigned reading in college and ended up inspiring some of my career choices. Although I don't agree with everything each contributor has to say, they all challenged my worldview and priorities in much-needed ways. SO worth it, especially for a Bible-centered Christian wanting to flesh out the two greatest commandments!

The book was interesting with a lot of information. The author presented it as a lifestyle that is different from the status quo--moving back to at risk communities to restore them. Maybe this is the path to creating a better life for all people.

I had my book autographed personally by Dr. John M Perkins himself, while he was on a visit to Denver. Love it and him. Such a wonderful man.

Very good read and I highly recommend those interested in Christian community and or studying urban ministry to read this book.

Fair reading. Not a slam dunk on restoring communities.

Must read for people who care about other people.

This is the most practical book on Christian community development that I have ever read. Each section is written by a different author, each of whom has personal experience with doing radical work in improving troubled communities. This is not a book for people who want to dabble in ministry. This book is for people who are serious about making personal sacrifices in order to bring about the three R's of Christian community development: relocation, reconciliation, and redistribution.