CCDA

The conference I attended this weekend was the Christian Community Development Association's annual networking conference. Urban ministries from all over the country came to represent. :-) Association member organizations ascribe to eight components - relocation, reconciliation, redistribution of resources, leadership development, listening to the community, as well as church-based, wholistic approach towards empowerment. The Association was founded by John Perkins and his wife, a pastor and ministry leader in Mississippi, who believed these components foundational to Biblically-sound ministries within multi-ethnic urban centers who inevitably encounter the pains and joys of seeking racial righteousness. Perkins is still alive and well, continuing this time with his morning Bible study each conference day, a ritual of his at the conference. As with most conferences, there were a few great quotes each of which, this year, came from Perkins.

"We wouldn't have so many eager leaders if they knew what their true responsibility is to be."

- in speaking about how Godly leader's first priority is in bearing the people's burdens.

"It's okay to be mad at God; He can take it."

- in his examination with the prophet Habakkuk's conversation with God.

"Plan like Jesus is going to return in 1,000 years, and behave like He's coming tomorrow."

"When God calls, He gifts the person with the relations for the call."

"Those who are called are not in competition with one another, but are

about the success of all the ministries and churches in the town."

"I can't fix everything, but I want to be concerned about a lot."

- in retort to those who say he is impassioned by too many good causes.