Toward a Spirituality of Accompaniment in Solidarity Partnerships

Abstract

This article will examine the widespread and growing movement of solidarity partnerships as a primary way in which ordinary churchgoers practice global mission in today's church. It will describe the movement and attempt to view it from the eyes of the resource-poor partners in the developing world. It will look at the strengths, challenges, and failures of solidarity partnerships, and illustrate some of the best practices. It suggests that solidarity partnerships have enormous potential to contribute to “overcoming the divisions in our world” but all too frequently have amplified them. The article concludes with recommendations for a changed approach.