I need help !  I’m getting a clearer sense that the word for this season is “listen” and when you really need help, you really need to listen.

Listening to Jesus …

I’ve been loving God and loving others and trying to walk that out in real-life with real people  but I have to admit, sometimes it all gets messy and lines gets blurry and I’m not always sure what is the best way to help  my community.  

Listening to God’s wisdom …

Get wisdom.  Get understanding … (See the book of Proverbs !)

Wisdom says listening to those who have walked this path longer than I have makes good sense  and thankfully, my friends at The Cornerstone Initiative are providing a great opportunity for me to do just that …sit and listen to those who have been on this journey of walking with the poor , the under-resourced, the marginalized, the vulnerable.    They are calling the event — “Cornerstone Conference for Community Compassion {C4} …Beyond Relief”.

Listen as they describe the upcoming event …

“Often programs addressing poverty center around “betterment” – free food, free clothing, free utility or rent assistance.  Yet, could it be that we are actually enabling poverty and creating entitlement and dependency?

“Beyond Relief” will provide opportunities to listen, learn, share, vision, and collaborate for actions yielding long-term solutions for economic, educational, social, and /or spiritual poverty according to Christ’s relational model, so all parties give and receive as we work together for positive social change.”

Here are the speakers we’re planning to listen to …

Robert Lupton – C4 Keynote Speaker –  He is the author of several  best-seller books, including “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It)” and “Compassion, Justice, and the Christian  Life: Rethinking Ministry to the  Poor”.

 Dr. Brian Fikkert – Co-author of “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself”

Noel Castellanos – CEO of the Christian Community Development Association, Noel teaches the importance of long-term commitment to personal relationships for effecting significant social change in under-resourced communities.

Kevin Singleton – Founder of “Elevate New York”, Kevin inspires inner-city youth in the Bronx Title 1 Schools to make positive differences in their homes, schools, and communities.

Patty Lowe – Executive Director of The CornerStone Initiative in Huntsville and pioneer of “Front Porch, Neighborhood, and Collaboration Conversations”, Patty highlights “listening” as the key to all relationships and the basis of community development.  By vocation she is a missional educator; by avocation she is an “encourager” for the marginalized, the vulnerable, and those needing realization of the unique God-given gifts he or she has to offer.

If  you want to come listen with me — join us February 25th here in the  city we call home — Huntsville, Alabama!  I’ve included all the links below to get you on your way to registration… and beyond 🙂 

Conference Information and Registration:   http://www.cornerstone-al.com/home/index.php/conference/conference-info