Self-Development is risky and we must not shrink from controversy, as long as we follow the criteria and guidelines, process, and procedures endorsed by the General Assembly. They resisted new ideas and innovations from those of us in the field. Self-Development is NOT the old style . . . refusing to work with people, rather, it is the acceptance of the ideas from the potential partners. Self-Development is NOT Charity . People who benefit from gifts of charity are often in such dire straits that they are totally dependent upon the good will of others for food, clothing, shelter, or economic sustenance.
Some paternalism has a chance of coming along with charity . . .
Self-Development is NOT a Crisis fund. We simply are not set up to act to meet the needs of crisis situations. This is how we are unique and distinct from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Self-Development is NOT the source of funds for great unpredicted or unforeseen emergency situations, but it is not without empathetic Christian sensitivity to such events. One area where there has been, and doubtless still is a lot of confusion, ambiguity, and discussion is the area of Social Services, which Self-Development is NOT .