%0 Journal Article
%T A Church with the Poor ¨C Lessons From Scripture and From Congregations in Informal Settlements
%A P Verster
%J Acta Theologica
%D 2012
%I 
%X The church has an essential role to play in communities riddled with poverty, disease, and despair. Communities in informal-settlement areas suffer a great deal. Churches in these communities are often small and have few means for alleviating poverty. In the Bible, the community of God is a community of love. Although there are instances of retribution in the Old Testament, there are clear instances where the community of God experiences the implications of love for one¡¯s neighbour. In the New Testament, the essence of the church is to be the community of love. Congregations in Mangaung¡¯s informal settlements bring a message of hope by being the community of love in their area. The church can become the true messenger of God¡¯s hope in informal areas.
%U http://www.ajol.info/index.php/actat/article/view/85705