'Give me neither poverty nor riches': Assessing the material realities of Malian urban pastors and their experiences with the use of foreign resources

This research is an exploration of the material realities encountered by Malian urban pastors. Scripture admonishes believers to provide adequately for their families, not only out of love and concern but as a witness to the community in which they live (1 Tim 5:8). The first part of the study is an assessment of the challenges urban pastors face as they try to provide for the needs of their families in the present economic climate of the Republic of Mali.; This research is also an exploration of how the International Partnership Movement has impacted the church in Mali. The second part of this study is an assessment of Malian urban pastors' experiences with the use of foreign funding and resources and how it has enhanced or diminished their ministries.; The research has been done with a variegated format combining a mixed method style. It used both quantitative instruments and ethnographic interviews for gathering data.; This research suggests that the financial compensation of a Malian who serves as a pastor in an urban church will be one quarter to one half of what other colleagues make who are of the same age and level of education. It also revealed that there are a number of additional financial demands and obligations which pastors experience because of their role in the Protestant faith community. Because of this, Malian urban pastors are often very hard pressed to meet the basic needs of their families.; One goal of this research is to help the church in Mali better understand the financial challenges which confront the urban pastorate. Another goal of this research is to help Western Christians to better understand the realities of their non-Western co-workers in Christ who serve in a context of poverty. A final goal is to help Western donors better understand the ways in which outside resources may enhance or diminish the ministries of those who are the beneficiaries of their giving.