Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria

The quest for a holistic transformation of rural communities through a sustainable framework in Africa has indeed been a challenge over the years. A participatory appreciative dialogue approach has been developed by Stephen Z. Yashim as a working and sustainable method for holistic rural community development to facilitate the application of biblical shalom. His qualitative engagements with the sampled participants during the data collection and the results obtained afterward have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the proposed framework is worth adopting as a supplement to the existing frameworks that are still not yielding adequate results. I am convinced Yashim’s model in this book is relevant for the African context. Hence, the rural communities will get involved in meaningful services with biblical guidance for their own development, and they will appreciate and feel recognized for their contributions with the help of God almighty.

Ruth Enoch Adamu, PhD
Department of Arts Education (Religion Education),
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

I highly recommend this practical book with its detailed case studies for any Christian who wants to improve their work in community development. As a result of this innovative approach in two Nigerian villages, using appreciative inquiry and dialogue with the biblical narrative, each community mobilized and accomplished a project using their local resources. I will also use this book as a handy reference when I need a summary of the theories of global and community development, theologies of development and missio Dei, analysis of worldviews, and the concepts of biblical shalom.

Mary S. Crickmore
West Africa Ministry Team Leader,
World Renew

Rev. Dr. Stephen Yashim’s research Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria is not only relevant to the Nigerian context but addresses a global phenomenon. The study which advocates for an application of biblical shalom by means of participatory dialogue with the biblical worldview for sustainable transformation of rural communities was born out of shortcomings of the traditional approaches to human needs which were based on mere relief and not transformation.

The study is well presented, logical, and coherent. The necessary and relevant concepts are well researched and discussed regarding developments within the field of community development. I have read this work with great excitement. It is commendable for academic and practical use by promoters of human dignity.

Ephraim Yoms, PhD
Director, People Oriented Development,
Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA),
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

1. Foreword
2. Acknowledgments
3. Abstract
4. Abbreviations
5. Chapter 1 Introduction
1. Definition of Key Terms
2. Research Problem
3. Research Question
4. Background of the Study
5. Purpose and Objectives of the Study
6. Importance of the Study
7. Limitations and Delimitations
8. Conclusion
6. Chapter 2 Literature Review
1. Introduction
2. Emergence of Global Development Theories
1. Modernization Theory
2. Dependency Theory
3. World-System Theory
4. Conclusion on Development Theories
3. Community Development
1. Definition of Community Development
2. Resources in Community Development
3. Approaches to Community Development
4. Theology of Development
1. A Working Definition of Theology
2. A Working Definition of the Theology of Development
5. Biblical Metanarrative
6. Missio Dei
1. The Goodness of Creation
2. The Eschatological Goal of the Missio Dei
7. Biblical Shalom
1. Definition of Biblical Shalom
2. Biblical Shalom in Human History
3. Re-Instatement of God’s Shalom
4. Relationship between God’s Shalom and the Kingdom of God
8. The Practice of Holistic Development by Three Selected Christian Relief and Development Organizations in Nigeria
1. People Oriented Development (POD)
2. Rural Development Counsellors for Christian Churches in Africa (RURCON)
3. Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN)
4. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Approaches of the Christian Relief and Development Organizations
9. Homogeneous Rural Communities.
10. Analyzing a Worldview
1. Definition of Worldview
2. Functions of Worldviews
3. Worldview Analysis Framework
4. Methods of Analyzing Worldviews
11. Appreciative Dialogue
1. Brief History of Appreciative Inquiry
2. Principles of Appreciative Inquiry
3. Value of Appreciative Inquiry
4. Application of Appreciative Dialogue
12. Summary
7. Chapter 3 Methodology
1. Introduction
2. Theological Framework
3. Research Design
4. Research Methodology
5. Study Area
6. Research Population
7. Data Collection Technique and Procedure
8. Research Tool
1. Session 1
2. Session 2
3. Session 3
4. Session 4
5. Session 5
9. Conceptual Framework for Data Analysis
10. Biblical Metanarrative as Normative Framework of Evaluation
8. Chapter 4 Data Presentation
1. Introduction
2. Communities’ Self-Identity
3. Communities’ Goals and Aspirations
1. Communities’ Goal and Aspirations Following the Introduction of Western Education
2. Communities’ Goal and Aspirations Following the Introduction of Christianity
3. Communities’ Goal and Aspirations for Technological Development
4. Communities’ Goal and Aspirations for Involvement in Socio-Political Governance
4. Communities’ Decisions
5. Communities’ Actions and Outcomes
1. Kurmin Gwaza Community Actions and Outcomes
2. Kurmin Jatau Community Actions and Outcomes
3. Summary of Communities’ Actions and Outcomes
6. Communities’ Feedback
7. Summary
9. Chapter 5 Data Analysis
1. Introduction
2. Biblical Worldview on Transformational Development
3. Communities’ Worldview on Development
1. Community Self-Identity and the Traditional Communities’ Worldview on Development
2. The Modern Kurmin Gwaza and Kurmin Jatau Communities’ Worldview on Development
4. Biblical Transformation of Kurmin Gwaza and Kurmin Jatau Communities’ Worldview on Development
5. Application of Biblical Shalom through the Participatory Appreciative Dialogue in Rural Communities
1. Participatory Appreciative Dialogue Approach for the Identification of the Worldview of Rural Communities’ Worldview on Development
1. Participatory Appreciative Dialogue Approach for the Analysis, Interpretation, and Transformation of Communities’ Worldview on Development
2. Applying Participatory Appreciative Dialogue Approach for Holistic Transformational Development and Application of Biblical Shalom in Rural Communities
3. Evaluating the Application of Participatory Appreciative Dialogue Approach for Holistic Transformational Development and Its Implication for the Application of Biblical Shalom in Rural Communities
6. Summary
7. Contribution of This Study
10. Chapter 6 Summary, Conclusion, Implications, and Recommendations of the Study
1. Introduction
2. Summary of the Study
3. Conclusion of the Study
4. Implications of the Study
5. Recommendations for Further Study
11. Bibliography