A mentor of mine passed away this month at 95. Dr. John Perkins was a loving force to be reckoned with. He grew up in the South and was nearly beaten to death by guards during the civil rights movement. While recovering in a hospital bed, he made a defining choice to embrace love instead of hate-and that decision shaped the course of his life.
JP and his wife, Vera Mae, were instrumental in creating opportunities and resources for under-resourced communities (too many
to mention here). He didn't just speak about justice-he lived it. He taught extensively about equality and what it means to live a life that is right and whole. He founded the CCDA movement (Christian Community Development Association), grounded in his "3Rs": Reconciliation, Redistribution, and Relocation.
Reconciliation is the essence of shalom-restoring relationships so that nothing is missing and nothing is broken. "There is no
reconciliation until we recognize the dignity in others, until you see their view, you have to enter into the pain of people. You've got to feel their needs."
Redistribution is about ensuring equal access to resources, power, and opportunity for all people. "Justice goes beyond racial and
economic barriers-like the good Samaritan."
Relocation is about living in proximity of the people we serve. "The difference between relocation and gentrification is motive, plain
and simple. When we decide to move into an inner-city neighborhood, we should always ask ourselves the question, Is this good for my new neighbors? Moving into inner-city neighborhoods for merely selfish reasons with no regard as to how it will affect the community residents will probably eventually do harm to your neighbors."
Over time, additional values have been woven into the CCD framework, including leadership development, empowerment, and
deep listening to the community.
All of this aligns closely with an Asset-Based Community Development approach-focusing on the strengths within a community and building on what is strong, rather than concentrating on what is wrong.
The CCD movement has grown into a global network, with thousands gathering each year to learn, teach, and engage together. I have been part of this movement for many years, attending the annual conferences to both learn and contribute.
For 60 years, Dr. Perkins worked to affirm people's dignity and ensure that people have equal access to opportunities. Much of our
work at LifeLine is a direct result of his teachings. The baton now passes to all of us.