Self-Development of People
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God’s concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling by participating in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.
Since its creation, the Self-Development of People Committee has had authority and responsibility to engage in a special ministry: 1) entering into partnership with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, 2) interacting with presbyteries and synods in the process of certifying their Self-Development Committees and helping to facilitate their work, and 3) encouraging a deeper understanding and involvement of the Church in the process of self-development.
After World War II, European nations, Japan, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States mushroomed into technologically sophisticated societies. At the same time, however, a new spirit of nationalism was growing within the colonies of Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. Many new nations were born, some taking their zeal for independence from the very nations that had controlled them. But these new countries had minimal financial and technical resources at their disposal. No matter how hard they tried to catch up, advanced nations surged ahead at an accelerating rate.
Presbyterians have traditionally valued self-determination. It is a concept deeply rooted in the Christian Church’s philosophy and in the pioneering spirit of the United States. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), through the Self-Development of People ministry, considers the application of this concept a crucial element in turning the tables on despair here and abroad. It affirms the concept demonstrated by Christ and His mission. By His actions, Jesus demonstrated His belief in people as children of a loving God. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues that mission by exercising the same belief in the practical terms of our own day and age.
Christians recognize their own need for independence and self-respect. Through the work of the Self-Development of People ministry, Presbyterians have the opportunity to be partners in development so that others may grow with dignity.
That some of our sisters and brothers are forced to beg for human dignity is absolutely scandalous to the Kingdom to which we have been called to witness. May God provoke us to give our money, our time, and our talents to programs of self-development as an evangelical witness to the good news of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ.
Workshops and Grants
- Free community workshops year-round
- Workshops held in different cities
- SDOP partners with other organizations to host events/community workshops. Interested in partnering with us?
Check back at this website for community workshops and other event updates.
Community Workshops – Grants
- Oppressed by poverty and social systems
- Working on projects to address community issues
- Looking for long-term improvements to lives and communities
- Group members must initiate, directly benefit from and control the project
Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) celebrates SDOP Sunday in 2024 on March 10. Join us in celebrating how the Presbyterian Church (USA) partnerships with low-income communities nationally, locally and internationally have impacted these communities as we seek to eradicate systemic poverty.
Program Measures
While each project and community with whom SDOP partners is unique and varied, we have developed a set of program measures to cohesively tell the story and impact of our combined work. SDOP partners are asked to consider and report how their work contributes to these measures, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Projects are not expected to demonstrate progress in all of the measure areas or even in each of the examples provided. Instead, each project will report what resonates with the results of their work.
- Develop diverse leadership/membership/engagement includes counts of participants involved in leadership activities, their diversity, and the degree of engagement.
- Realize social justice achievements includes justice measures that build power for the economically poor and oppressed. This can be measured, for example, in changes in policy, transformation of unjust practices, increased independence, and increased representation.
- Strengthen relationships, communication, and collaboration includes counts of outreach activities into the community and the partnerships formed or strengthened.
- Expand education and skills development includes counts for the number and types of trainings and technical assistance.
- Increase economic development opportunities includes the reporting of activities related to strengthening economic opportunities for group members.
- Enhance quality of life includes measures of change and improvement across a broad spectrum of issues, including health, housing, food security, transportation, safety, etc.
FAQs
Meet Our Staff
Coordinator for Self-Development of People
Phone: 502-569-5780
Fax: 502-569-8001
Email: Alonzo.Johnson@pcusa.org
Alonzo provides direction, coordination, strategic, and theological vision to the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People ministry and its commitments to social, racial, and economic justice. He serves as the key liaison between the National Committee on Self-Development of People and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. He promotes and interprets the ministry of SDOP to congregations, mid councils, ecumenical, and community partners.
Associate for Community Development and Constituent Relations
Phone: 502-569-5792
Fax: 502-569-8001
Email: Margaret.Mwale@pcusa.org
Margaret coordinates and interprets the SDOP ministry to mid council committees, congregations and potential community partners to facilitate partnership development. She reviews and authorizes payments of funding decisions from mid council committees. She advises mid councils on certification applications and process. She develops, coordinates, and facilitates educational and training workshops for national, synod and presbytery SDOP committees and community groups of economically poor and disadvantaged people. She provides staff support to community relations and church-wide relations standing committees and leads continuing education events/training for the National Committee.
Associate for Program
Phone: 502-569-5781
Fax: 502-569-8001
Email: clara.nunez@pcusa.org
Clara manages and coordinates the day-to-day work of SDOP and the National Committee. She implements the program policies and facilitates the grant process of establishing domestic partnerships. She interprets the ministry of the Self-Development of People to potential partners, congregations, committee members, and community partners. She develops direction and content for the SDOP website and other social media.
Bilingual/Meeting planner
Phone: 502-569-5790
Fax: 502-569-8001
Email: Teresa.Bidart@pcusa.org
Teresa facilitates the work of the International Task Force (e.g., maintains the database of all applicant groups received outside of the United States and processes and distributes minutes from Task Force meetings); translates correspondence from Spanish to English and vice versa; and sets up arrangements for the Task Force, steering committee, and other called meetings and informs members of such.
