21 October 2023

International Development Week: Interconnectedness is key

Hayley Still

A photo shows someone in Salvation Army branded clothing talking to someone else in bright yellow overalls and hardhat. — France

Inspired by International Development Week, Hayley Still reflects on the importance of being part of a global community.

International Development Week (14–20 October) provides an opportunity to explore, celebrate and support The Salvation Army’s work tackling poverty and injustice around the world. The theme for 2023 is Global Community, exploring what it means to be a community, reflecting on the idea that the Church has the potential, and the responsibility, to be an example of community at its best – loving, serving, inclusive, generous – and remembering that we are all members of a global community connected by our shared humanity.

Community is an essential feature of Christian life. The Church was not intended to be insular, self-serving and exclusive. Jesus was a living example of love, and he spent time in conversation, in community and often among people whom others had rejected. The early Church, too, exemplified how loving, generous and inclusive church can be. They modelled church as a community in which people not only prayed and praised God together, but also ate together, enjoyed fellowship and shared possessions.

It is clear, then, that the Church is called to be a community: there is a biblical foundation for this. But community is perhaps easier to relate to in a local context. What about the concept of a global community?

We recently asked colleagues from around the world to share why they think global community is important. Here are some responses:

Captain Farai Jarai, Mozambique Territory

‘Being part of a global community means oneness, support, sharing experiences and learning best practice. This leads to the community becoming equipped, empowered and experiencing total transformation. Community forms the basis of any good and prosperous society. Community is vital.’

Francois Nsengimana, Rwanda and Burundi Territory

‘All people in the world are interconnected. Community is important because it means we look forward to achieving common objectives. It is our responsibility to remain connected as a global community.’

A photo shows two people in colourful clothing sat at a bowl as they tear pieces off a plant. — Kenya

Jeevan Roy Pitta, India Central Territory

‘Global community is a place that celebrates diversity and freedom to be yourself, where you can make connections. It’s a place where we learn about others and ourselves.’

Major Dancille Ndagijimana, Rwanda and Burundi Territory

‘To me, to be part of the global community means that I am connected to other people from around the world, and every action taken, and every decision made will have either a positive or negative impact on others. Community helps to develop a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for social interaction, sharing information, knowledge and resources, and all this together contributes to enhancing quality of life.’

In Luke 10:25–37, Jesus is asked a simple question: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Despite the intention to trip him up, Jesus uses the opportunity to share a lesson about compassion for all people, whether they are part of someone’s community or not. It is a story about a person who reached out in kindness to someone from a different culture. In the example Jesus gives, this love is shown through physical care and financial aid.

But this is just one example: it is not the limit of love. What it looks like to love your neighbour as yourself goes beyond charity. Providing care without forming relationships is not community.

The concept of global community is reflected in how we work within International Development UK. The Salvation Army’s international projects are about partnership, not pity. This is why projects do not simply involve the transfer of funds, and why we partner on projects in places where The Salvation Army has a presence – where they are part of the community. The people who will be impacted by a project are involved from beginning to end, from planning conversations and decision[1]making to reflection and feedback.

Pursuing partnership also encourages us to embrace accountability and recognise that we can learn from one another. When we listen to and share with someone whose perspective differs from our own, we are all enriched.

Projects based in other countries can perhaps feel distant, but they are a way in which our global Salvation Army is connected.

A challenge for the Church is that we can mistake diversity for division and feel disconnected from people in other parts of the world, whose cultures are dissimilar to our own. Again, the early Church in Acts 15 provides an example of finding common ground that respects differing backgrounds and cultures while maintaining harmony and allowing the fellowship to flourish.

A photo shows someone in an orange Salvation Army branded hi viz vest talking to two people sat wrapped up in warm clothing. — Romania

Embracing global community enables us to engage in cultural exchange and better understand the diverse perspectives and practices of people from around the world. It provides opportunities to learn from different traditions, theological perspectives and worship styles, which can contribute to our understanding of Scripture and enhance our faith. There is also power, potentially, in the sense of solidarity gained through global Christian unity. In places where Christian persecution is a reality, imagine the power of knowing you have the support of believers around the world – not only in praying for you, but also in advocating for your freedom.

As we become increasingly aware of global events, and more able to connect to people on the other side of the planet, we can see the impact of our actions on others in the world. Together, we can make a profound difference so that we, as followers of Jesus, are an example of community at its best – living out love, service, inclusivity and generosity, locally and globally.