I have just returned from Ethiopia, and once again I came face to face with the tragic dependency of an African culture upon western funding. The struggle is not new, and certainly not isolated to one nation or culture. However, in my experience, the more Western aid that has been given to any specific country (for example Ethiopia and Rwanda), the more problems that country has with establishing a healthy, balanced, independent economy and infrastructure. This is poignantly felt in the church, and with the pastors I train. The countries that have had the most NGO assistance, the most Western aid, the most assistance from churches, these are also the countries which are most dependent on that aid continuing for any ministry efforts to be accomplished.

I’ve recently heard statements like, “Unless you pay for the training, no pastors will come.” “The first thing any pastor will ask when invited to a training is, ‘How much will I get to come?’ or ‘How much will you pay for my transportation and expenses?'” Admittedly, this is difficult for me to swallow, since in several other location where I train, which pastors have NO more, perhaps even less, than these pastors, this attitude is absent. They are so hungry for the training that they gladly and sacrificially contribute for the training.

The struggle with this dependency upon western funding has arisen from years of generous but misplaced giving on the part of western institutions. An excellent book which highlights this is, “When Helping Hurts,” by Corbett and Fikkert. The book clearly shows how well intentioned giving can actually ultimately hurt the very people we are trying to help. In focusing on relief instead of development, we hold back the institutions and governments from gaining vital self-sufficiency. In the church, this leads to pastors who are unwilling to participate in training unless they are compensated sufficiently. This is going to be a very challenging pattern to change, for it is deeply embedded in the culture, including in the church.

However, there is hope, for there are several church leaders who recognize these dangers and are trying to fight against them. In the meantime, to continue offering training, we will need to swallow hard and offer extra funding, and work within the system to change unhealthy patterns. Through training in better practices of those we bring, and working with key organizational leaders in Africa, over time I believe we will see improvement. But it will require patience and perseverance and much grace on both sides.

Pressing on for God’s global glory, Eric