Dignity in Mission Work

Dignity affirms that a person has the right to be valued and respected, and to be treated ethically. How can we uphold this in mission and service work? This takes conscious action on our part to evaluate the programs, services, and language we use. You might have heard before the difference of a “hand up” and a “hand out.” There is value in addressing the immediate needs of a human being, providing them food, water, clothing, or shelter. Jesus provided many healing ministries to people and we celebrate the opportunity to do so for our siblings in Christ. Once the immediate need is met, the next step should be working together with that person to see what their goals or desires are for the longer term. If they are unhoused, maybe they need help getting connected to an organization that has a work exchange program. Or if they are unemployed, maybe they could use support in terms of job skills training or resume writing. There are a variety of ways to show support and encouragement to someone using their own skills and abilities coupled with access to resources. Ultimately, our words and actions in mission and service work should uplift people through recognizing and building upon their gifts and talents.  ​