Program

You can undertake the 50:50 program at any time. Simply select a five week period that will work for you and your church.

The program has three phases.

Phase 1 sees church leaders prepare for the program. They are encouraged to use the 50:50 evaluation tool to identify areas of strength and areas for growth in their church's ministry to people in poverty and from this set goals for the development of their church's ministry to the world's poor.

Phase 2 is the 50:50 program proper. Each week a key dimension of a biblical response to people living in poverty will be explored. Weekly church services are devoted to these themes and followed up in small group bible studies. The focus is on poverty in developing countries and each week there is a practical action that enables people to apply what they are learning. More details are outlined in the table below.

Phase 3 sees churches conclude the 50:50 campaign by making commitments to maintain an ongoing ministry to people living in poverty around the world. See the next steps page for some suggestions.

Week Theme Focus Action
1 Listen Scripture places a high priorty on care for people living in poverty. As we listen to what God says to us in the Scriptures we discover that how we respond to people living in poverty is a central concern of biblical discipleship. Face of Poverty Gallery. Posters containing images and stories of people living in poverty, along with biblical calls to love those who are poor, are placed around the walls of the church. Congregation members spend 10 minutes viewing the posters and reflect on what God is saying to them.
2 Consume The ways we consume can impact people living in poverty for good or ill. Ethical consumption means consuming less so that we have more to share with those who are poor; consuming sustainably so that we do not harm the environment on which those who are poor depend; and consuming fairly by buying goods that ensure a fair return and decent working conditions for their producers. Participants are invited to reduce their household consumption by $50.00 during the 50:50 program and devote this to the 50:50 poverty projects, and to replace one of ther common supermarket items with a Fairtrade equivalent.
3 Speak Jesus and the prophets called the wealthy and rulers to repentance for the ways they had oppressed or neglected people living in poverty. We must do the same. Calling on political and corporate leaders to the use of their power to bring justice to people who are poor can have an amazing transformational impact. Postcards for Justice. Congregation members are invited to fill out a postcard that calls on our leaders to achieve justice for the poor. In so doing they join in an ongoing advocacy campaign. For the latest recommended advocacy action see the resources page.
4 Give God gifted the earth to all humankind for our sustenance. Those who have sufficient are responsible to share their wealth with those who do not. Such sharing with the poor is seen in Scripture as one of the hallmarks of godliness. Invite every household in your church to give $50.00 to help poor households lift themselves out of poverty.Donation envelopes are provided to help you encourage generosity and collect the donations as part of your church offering. A list of the 50:50 projects you will support can be found on the projects page
5 Pray Jesus taught his followers to pray for their "daily bread" and for God's will to be done on earth. This must include praying for the poor, oppressed and vulnerable. During this week participants explore ways to pray thoughtfully for people living in poverty. Poverty Prayer Stations. Prayer stations are established around the church, with each station focussed on a different dimension of prayer for people living in poverty. Congregaton members move from station to station offering prayer.