God

Roger Saner's picture

Modalities of (transformative) intervention

Continuing from my last post on transformation I'd like to suggest that are different methods of intervention (or "modalities") when we're talking about a person intervening (professionally) with another person/s. These are: training, consulting, therapy, mentoring, coaching.

Consulting is when I have the skills and am hired to do the job (and there's no imparting of skills/knowledge).
Training is when I can't necessarily do it, but can show other people how to do it (like an international rugby coach who's an excellent coach but hasn't played at international level before).
Mentoring is when I know how to do it, and I show you how to do it, ideally by walking alongside you for a period of time.
Therapy is when some part of you needs healing, and we fix it.
Coaching is the process of answering the question, "What do you want, and how will you get there?"

(Note: these are the definitions I use, and I've heard plenty of others use some of these words interchangeably, so feel free to disagree with my usage).

I've listed some modalities of professional interventions above (if you'd like to add anything to the list please do so in the comments) which I hope makes the following point: when somebody wants to be transformed, it's important to know which modality is appropriate to use.

Graeme Codrington's picture

An atheist, God and African solutions

The Times (UK) published a thought-provoking article last week, by an avowed atheist who is often critical of organised religion and Christianity. Yet, his thoughts on what is needed in Africa are refreshing and exciting for those of us who believe there is a different way of being and doing Christian in the world today.

This is worth a read. The original is online here.

 

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God


Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset
by Matthew Parris

Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people keep their village wells sealed and clean. I went to see this work.

It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God.