Empowering religious institutions through the basic Christian farming systems approach as development catalysts in rural communities

Abstract

Two approaches to development, the Farming systems approach and the Basic Christian Community approach are examined in terms of success rates. Both approaches record a partial success due to one – sided emphasis on development. The farming systems approach which enjoys financial support from funding agencies emphasizes only material accumulation whereas the Basic Christian Community approach, which has an ethic and vision, lacks support from these agencies. In order to redress the situation and reap the full benefit of development, a merger approach, the Basic Christian Farming System approach, is suggested. This approach advocates greater empowerment of the rural religious institutions through support from funding agencies, thereby equipping these institutions for their social roles as mediating institutions and development catalysts.

Keywords: farming systems, basic Christian community, mediating institution, basic Christian farming systems, religious institution

Global Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 4(1&2) 2005: 17-20