I was introduced to Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities by Ruby K. Payne, Philip E. DeVol, Terie Dreussi-Smith and Eugene K. Krebs at a seminar series on ministering to the disenfranchised population. The book strives to educate professionals and communities on the causes, psychology, truths and trials of poverty with the hope that they will become part of the solution.

The book is divided into four sections, each geared towards a different societal application: Individual Lens, Institutional Lens, Community Lens and Policy Lens. Being a minister of Jesus Christ, I studied the Individual Lens. The following is a chapter list for that section: 

  • Resources: The Tools by Which You Survive, Create Stability, and Solve Problems 
  • The Causes of Poverty 
  • Mental Models and Hidden Rules of Poverty, Middle Class and Wealth 
  • Negotiating Environments – Language Registers, Story Structure, Mediation and Voices 
  • Family, Support Systems, and Social Capital for Survival and Stability 
  • Building Relationships, Bonding and Bridging Capital, and “Disposable Ties” 
  • Bridges Constructs, Getting Ahead Theory of Change, Bridges Model 

Here are a few of the “Aha!” moments that have jumped off the page as game changers: 

  • “The Tyranny of the Moment (Now)”- This phrase defines the continual onslaught of urgencies/emergencies that prevent individuals living in poverty from getting ahead  
  • The level of exploitation of the financially poor that occurs in our society including predatorial landlords, payday lenders, employment/labor law violations, scams, etc. 
  • Meeting temporal needs is not the same as offering help through intercession 

The authors included life stories in many of the chapters followed by a series of questions. These allowed readers to apply the principles encountered in the book. These were invaluable exercises. 

I imagine that everyone approaches the topic of poverty with preconceived ideas and a false sense of understanding. That was certainly my experience.

To put it plainly, my mind was blown by my naiveté. I look forward to rereading the material periodically so that I never forget. I pray your encounter will be the same.

Although Bridges Out of Poverty is a secular book, it is loaded with valuable information that, when combined with the truth and heart of scripture, equips its readers to be instruments of change in the lives of those who are falling through the cracks. I hope that you’ll read it and recommend it to your pastor.

“Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities” is available for purchase on Amazon.com.