Nonprofits profit the world

According To A Study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, non-profit organizations employ nearly nineteen million people and represent a $1.1 trillion worldwide "industry." Voluntary, private, nonprofit groups—from huge corporations like the Red Cross to grass-roots gatherings—in twenty-two countries were studied from 1990 to 1995. Lester M. Salamon, director of the study, referred to them as "a mighty economic force" because their spending averages 4.7% of the gross domestic product in the countries surveyed.

Financial support for nonprofits comes predominantly from contracts with government and other agencies (47%) and fees (42%). Philanthropy accounts for only 11%.

Reported by the
Associated Press
November 8, 1998

Chinese churches growing

Since 1979, More Than twelve thousand churches have opened in China along with twelve thousand meeting places in private homes, according to Dr. Han Wenzao, president of the China Christian Council.

Church attendance in large cities like Shanghai runs in the thousands. For instance, each Sunday 3,500 people attend the Shanghai Community Church. In Beijing, the Chong Wen Men Church holds nine services and meetings during the week in order to serve the three thousand people who attend.

Reported in Good News! American Bible Society Fall, 1998

Making way for caring dads

Increasing Numbers Of men say they want to participate in family life, but they can't resist the pressure to put in long hours at work. Whereas women may change jobs when work conflicts with child care, men tend to feel a responsibility to stick with their careers in order to support the family financially.

Younger breadwinners (those in the eighteen to thirty-two age range) are more willing to challenge this outlook. In the past, child care issues were considered of importance only to women; now—although very slowly—the workplace is beginning to recognize that dads care, too.

Reported in Business Week
September 21, 1998

Early steps toward civil rights

Over Ninety-Three Years ago, W.E.B. DuBois and other African-Americans gathered in Niagara Falls, New York, to form The Niagara Movement. This civil rights organization was at first predominantly male, but by the third year, when the group met in Boston, women were taking an active part. Although the movement did not produce any material changes, it laid the foundation for a successor, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which began in 1910.

The goals listed below represent the first civil rights platform as articulated by The Niagara Movement in 1905.

1. Freedom of speech and criticism. 2. An unfettered and unsubsidized press. 3. Manhood suffrage. 4. The abolition of all caste distinctions based simply on race and color. 5. The recognition of the principle of human brotherhood as a practical present creed. 6. The recognition of the highest and best human training as the monopoly of no class or race. 7. A belief in the dignity of labor. 8. United effort to realize these ideals under wise and courageous leadership.

A PASTOR'S SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

"I Began To Ask myself what the church specifically had to offer, and to find resources for a deepened faith in the scriptures. ...

"Most of all, I found the Bible's texts and stories were not inert and passive, awaiting our interpretation. They were alive and eager to have their say, if we could but muster the courage to listen."

Anthony B. Robinson
"Beyond civic faith"
The Christian Century
October 14, 1998