Introduction
From experience, we find that many in our congregations are very interested in global development. They see pictures on the television or read widely and many genuinely want to learn how to better understand the needs of so many in the world today.

Due to these advances in media technology, we tend to know more about global issues, but it can be all too easy to remain as ‘spectators’, watching events unfold from the safety of our sitting rooms. This often leads to a feeling of helplessness – what can I possibly do to make a difference?

The example of Jesus provides our actions with motivation and meaning. He knew how to respond because he spent time in prayer. Without this, we will feel powerless and overwhelmed. Too many preachers spend too much time on the ‘why?’ and too little on the ‘how?’ which can compound feelings of guilt and despondency.

It is not easy in an hour to engage in worship, to meet the many needs of those who have come, particularly with other priorities in their lives, and avoid sending people home feeling guilty that ‘we’ have so much and ’they’ have so little. But we can use the opportunity to help our congregations understand we can all do something to actively share the love of Jesus Christ.

This is why sharing examples of what has already been achieved in tackling poverty, as well as what can be done and how, is crucial.

In this article, we hope to share some ideas and experience to help other preachers offer their congregations ‘windows on the world.’

Why is it so important?
Concern for our neighbours, whether they are near to us, far from us, like us, different from us, is central to the teaching of Jesus. He says it is the second greatest commandment, preceded only by the command to love God (Mark 12:29-31). Many of the parables illustrate the command (the Good Samaritan, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Sheep and the Goats), but the greatest illustration is in the life of Jesus.

Not only does Jesus help those in need, but he also accepts their help (accepting water from the Samaritan woman at the well, for example). It is a sharing of insights, experiences and resources that enriches and empowers all who are involved.

‘Special’ Sundays such as Harvest, Refugee Week or One World Week, are obvious opportunities. But what about Ash Wednesday, when the set text from Isaiah 58 reminds us that God’s people are defined by love in action? Since so much of Scripture is concerned with issues of justice and community, the lectionary provides many ‘windows on the world.’

Many of the stories of Jesus’ ministry shed light on how we might meet the needs of the marginalized and oppressed today. For example:

• The woman who reached out to touch Jesus (Luke 8:42b-48). She was ostracized by the society in which she lived; she had lost her friends, her family, her social engagement with others and yet she knew the one person who could help and could restore her purpose in life was the Lord Jesus Christ. Very strong parallels for those with HIV/AIDS and leprosy.
• Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Jesus asks him what he wants and he replies …‘Rabbi, I want to see …’.Jesus knew Bartimaeus’ needs, but he allows him to identify the need himself and to become part of the solution. So aid agencies, like MRDF, do not just give food or clothing, but may help a community to build their own well to gain access to their own water supply and to find dignity and a renewed purpose in life.

Being creative
Engage people with images and props, with imagination and role-play and with real-life stories that show how our lives in the UK are connected to the lives of people overseas. For example, if exploring issues of migration and displacement you could:

• ask people to build a shanty dwelling out of old cardboard and invite someone to ‘live’ there for the rest of the service.
• have people draw pictures or scribe words of what ‘home’ means to them. These could become the basis of prayers of thanksgiving. This may help alleviate guilt or defensiveness about having more than some people.

It is not wrong to enjoy what we have, but our enjoyment should not cost others.

Tell stories about homelessness in the UK and overseas, with statistics and pictures that could be made into a collage and used as a focus for intercessory prayers.

Websites with a good range of global statistics include: www.newint.org , www.worldbank.com and www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

Engaging the congregation straightaway is vital. Here are a couple of openers that we have used when talking about the importance of clean water:

• Show a picture of a muddy ditch. Ask how you would feel if this was your water supply for washing, drinking, cooking – and was shared with animals (sharp intake of breath by congregation)!
• Set up three glasses: one of muddy water, one of rain water and one of fresh tap water – ask who would like to take a sip.
• Click your fingers every three seconds and remind the congregation that a child dies from poverty-related causes somewhere in the world every time they hear the click.

There is an element of shock treatment in this approach, and we must be sensitive, but these have been successful in engaging a congregation so that they are tuned in to listen to what comes next. These ideas include people of all ages and all abilities.

They also engage the whole person, body, mind and soul. Too often we try to convince people intellectually, but a ‘heartfelt’ response is Jesus’ way and it is this that will lead to acts of compassion rather than ‘charity’.

Avoiding some pitfalls
People often think more in terms of ‘aid’ than ‘development’. This can be challenged by highlighting how most of us would resist being seen as ‘charity cases’ but can understand the need to be helped to help ourselves. Include personal examples of when you have ‘helped’ others, to show that by doing so invariably you are ‘helped’ yourself – challenged, changed, enriched.

We all need to be very careful about using images of people in distress, which can dehumanise people when they are already at their most vulnerable, whilst encouraging voyeuristic or patriarchal attitudes.

Sharing stories from MRDF or other aid agencies that your church supports, for example about new water supplies, income-generating projects or sustainable farming, can help illustrate how important it is for people to retain their dignity and identify their own needs for development.

How can people respond?
Methodism’s Our Calling statement includes service, defined as ‘being good neighbours to those in need’ and ‘challenging injustice.’ The Methodist Priorities include ‘Supporting community development and action for justice, especially among the most deprived and poor’:

• being a good neighbour entails knowing your neighbours’ needs and responding accordingly, so be informed (find out more from MRDF and other charities’ websites, request a speaker or order resources).
• challenging injustice may include advocacy and campaigning (visit www.mrdf.org.uk/pages/links.php for links to campaigning and development education organisations that provide suitable resources for churches)
• give your congregation a practical way to respond (through financial giving, prayer, volunteering or taking part in a campaign).

We usually conclude by saying that, if we care about these things, then there are a number of actions we can all take – be informed, tell others, give what we can and pray – then close in prayer for those in need.

Rev Caroline Ainger is a minister in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Circuit. Robert Mortimer is the Local Preachers’ Circuit Secretary for the Teddington Circuit. They are both trustees of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF). Free resources for preachers and leaders of worship, especially at Harvest and Lent, and information about booking a speaker, are available from www.mrdf.org.uk  or by calling the MRDF office on 020 7467 5132.