Discussion Questions

Clyde describes “asset-based development” as flipping the instinctive reaction of “they don’t have this, they don’t have that” into noticing God-given resources like water, fertile land, and even “gifted, strong, muscled young men idle”; what does that reveal about how God has already supplied communities before any outsider arrives, and what does it expose about the spiritual danger of a Western “savior” mindset? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What does it show about how God has already given a community what it needs before outsiders show up? How can a Western “savior” attitude be spiritually dangerous?

He says delivering relief to chronic poverty can communicate “all good things come from outside my community” and even imply “their minds aren’t sharp enough”; what view of human dignity and the imago Dei is underneath his warning, and how should that reshape the way Christians talk about “helping the poor”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How can constant outside help make people feel like their community has nothing to offer or that they aren’t smart enough? What does that say about human dignity and the image of God, and how should it change the way Christians talk about “helping the poor”?

Clyde distinguishes critical aid (earthquake-level emergency) from development and calls it “silly” to offer a year-long savings program to someone who has lost shelter and water; in what real situations have you seen Christians confuse categories, and what harms came from treating a chronic problem like a critical one (or vice versa)? JumpstartAnother way to ask: When have you seen Christians treat an emergency like a long-term problem, or a long-term problem like an emergency? What damage did that mix-up cause?

He admits the path toward “I’m from the West… I’m the resource” is a “very slippery slope” unless you are “really intentional”; what practices, team structures, or accountability would actually keep that from happening when money, expertise, and urgency are all on the outsider’s side? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What specific habits, team roles, or checks would keep outsiders from thinking, “I’m the resource,” especially when they have the money and expertise? What real accountability would help?

Clyde notes that many global savings groups emphasize “financial literacy” and “women empowerment,” then says SALT “gets some of that by default, but that’s not our focus”; what priorities do you hear him putting ahead of those goals, and how does that challenge common Christian metrics of “impact” and “success”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If SALT isn’t mainly focused on financial literacy or women’s empowerment, what does Clyde seem to care about most instead? How does that challenge how Christians usually measure “success” and “impact”?

He says, “God works in ways that are mind-boggling,” even through NGOs, governments, Islamic foundations, Catholic charities, and mainstream Christianity; how does that statement press against our instincts about who God can use, and where do you feel resistance to granting that kind of latitude? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does the idea that God can work through many different groups (even ones we don’t agree with) challenge your assumptions? Where do you feel most resistant to believing God would use them?

Clyde asks, “What does it take for me to change my worldview?” and pushes back on the expectation that others will change quickly when we tell them Jesus is truth; what does this imply about God’s patience in discipleship, and how does it confront modern expectations of fast conversions or rapid behavioral change? JumpstartAnother way to ask: If changing someone’s worldview takes time, what does that say about God’s patience in discipleship? How does that push back against expecting quick conversions or fast behavior change?

He connects the “long view” (five to ten years) to people “wrestling with teaching with the word of God” as their worldview slowly shifts; how does that sound compared with how many churches approach missions and short-term trips, and what would need to change in planning, funding, and storytelling to embrace that timeline? JumpstartAnother way to ask: How does a 5–10 year timeline for real change compare to how churches often do missions and short-term trips? What would need to change in planning, funding, and stories you tell to match that pace?

When Clyde looks at Dhaka’s density and Asia’s 4.6 billion people, he asks, “Is God getting a good return on his investment?” regarding Western resources; what assumptions about stewardship, accountability, and God’s purposes are packed into that question, and how might it reframe how you evaluate your lifestyle and giving? JumpstartAnother way to ask: When Clyde asks if God is getting a “good return” on Western resources, what is he assuming about stewardship and accountability? How might that change how you judge your lifestyle and giving?

He says Matthew 28:19 is “way beyond our abilities,” yet God works through men and women via multiplication, indigenous staff, and outsiders “behind the scenes”; what would it cost your ego, identity, and sense of calling to adopt that behind-the-scenes posture, and where do you see modern Christianity subtly making the mission “all about me”? JumpstartAnother way to ask: What would you have to give up in your ego or sense of importance to serve “behind the scenes” in the mission? Where do you see Christians today quietly making the mission too much about themselves?