Self-Development of People

The Self-Development of People is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that affirms God’s concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners, dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.

About the Committee:

• • Our Responsibility: Jesus of Nazareth befriended and assisted poor and oppressed people, and taught his followers the same primary responsibility. By establishing the Self-Development of People (since 1970), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) lives out the primary responsibility taught by Jesus and demonstrates its solidarity with poor people around the world.
  • Our Mission Statement: The Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God’s concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners, dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.
  • Our Mandate: The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People shall assist the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in carrying out its global commitment to work toward the self-development of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people who own, control, and benefit directly from projects that promote long-term change in their lives and communities. The mandate was established by the 182nd General Assembly (1970) of the former United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and reaffirmed and approved by the 199th General Assembly (1987) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).