ShalomZoneTraining:
Upcoming Training:
Through Drew University Theological School:
The Shalom Resource Center at Drew University provides on-going training, technical assistance, and relational support to registered communities of shalom.
ShalomZoneTraining empowers people to seek shalom by living in a particular community and be catalyst for positive change and systemic transformation. Theologically, this is referred to as “incarnational ministry” following the divine pattern: “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
Practically, ShalomZoneTraining equips local ministry teams in asset-based and collaborative approaches to systemic change, economic prosperity, healing and health, and sustainability. This six-point approach to community transformation can be easily remembered by the letters of shalom:
S = systemic and sustainable change
H = healing, health, harmony and wholeness
A = asset-based community development
L = love for God, self and others
O= organizing for direct action
M = multicultural, multifaith collaboration
Credo of a Community Developer
Go to the People; live among them.
Learn from them; plan with them; work with them.
Start with what they know; build on what they have.
Teach by showing; learn by doing.
Not a showcase, but a pattern.
Not odds and ends, but a system.
Not piecemeal, but an integrated approach.
Not to conform, but to transform.
Not for relief but release.
And when the best leaders, leave
The people all say: ‘We did it ourselves.’
Put your faith into action. Apply for Training Now.
ShalomZoneTraining Overview:
Informed by the shalom vision, mission and spiritual values, a Communities of Shalom basic training course was developed to equip persons to identify resources and lead in the development of their communities.
The Shalom training is organized in five day-long sessions over a six month period.
The training is offered to congregations and community members in annual conferences and geographical regions who request it and meet certain qualifications.
Shalom Teams, comprised of congregational and community leaders, learn specific skills in prophetic leadership, strategic planning, community organizing, asset-based community development, fund-raising, multicultural relationships, and utilizing partnerships for systemic change.
Follow-up training, technical assistance, relational support, and social networking further enhance the exchange of ideas for building stronger communities.
To date, over 380 Shalom sites have received training in the United States, West Africa, and Zimbabwe. Currently, approximately 100 communities of shalom are active in the world.
Here is a general outline of the five-day training schedule:
TRAINING SCHEDULE Training can be scheduled once a judicatory has submitted an application and received approval for three to six Communities of Shalom, and after an initial Consultation has occurred. These arrangements are made by contacting your judicatory office and the national Shalom office at Drew University (973) 408-3848 shalom@drew.edu
For more information on Shalom Training or to request an Information Meeting, please contact:
Dr. Michael J. Christensen, National Director
Communities of Shalom Resource Center
Drew University Theological School
12 Campus Drive
Madison, NJ 07940
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Dr. Yen’s “Credo of Rural Reconstruction” was developed after working with Chinese peasant people in the 1920s and has been applied by his organization to community development projects around the world.
