What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty by Ruby Payne and Bill Ehlig (Aha! Process, Inc., 1999) Resource Type: Book on understanding generational poverty and its effects Main Audience: Church leaders and members wanting a deeper understanding of generational poverty and how the church can reach the generational poor Order Now Summary: Payne and Ehlig offer an excellent book on generational poverty, enabling those unfamiliar with the generational poor to gain a deeper understanding of this sort of poverty. The authors discuss the “hidden rules” of the three main economic classes in society (poor, middle-class, wealthy), describing the assets and liabilities of each. Chapters on language and cognition as well as violence and conflict help readers understand why problem-solving and negotiation skills are often immature among the generational poor. Readers will also gain insight and understanding in the areas of family and relationship patterns among the poor. The authors not only provide a thorough and insightful introduction to generational poverty but also offer practical suggestions on how a church can integrate the poor into the congregation. | 
