Algunas personas ven el trabajo social de la iglesia local como -el patito feo- de nuestra fe; como algo que se debe hacer pero que nadie quiere hacerlo. Aun mas, hay quienes consideran que este tipo de ministerio no es necesario y que eltrabajo de ofrecer ayuda social le corresponde al gobierno y a otras agencias no gubernamentales pero nunca a la iglesia. Por estas razones, en este libro presento las bases y los fundamentos necesarios para responder a estas formas de pensar y tratar de cambiar la percepcion de que el objetivo de la iglesia es solamente espiritual, sin ninguna implicacion social. De la misma manera, espero que las sugerencias y metodos aqui presentados sean utiles para desarrollar ministerios de accion social que sirvan para aliviar las necesidades y sufrimientos de nuestro pueblo hispano y de la gente pobre y vulnerable que se encuentra en las comunidades a las cuales ministramos. Some people see the social work of the local church as the ugly duckling of our faith; something that should be done but no one stepping forward to do it. Others look to our state and local governments to handle this work. This book presents the basics to respond to these methods of thinking, and attempts to change the perception that the objective of the church is only spiritual, without any social responsibility. Suggestions and methods are presented to equip social action teams to assist with the needs and sufferings of the Hispanic community and the vulnerable and poor of our communities."

This first-of-its-kind collection reveals U.S. Latino/a theological scholarship as a vital terrain of study in the search for better understanding of the varieties of religious experience in the United States. While the insights of Latino/a theologians from Central and South America have gained attention among professional theologians, until now the role of U.S. Latino/a theology in the formation of North American theological identity has been largely unacknowledged. Nonetheless, the four-centuries old Latino/a presence in the United States has been forming a rich, creative, and distinctively North American Latino/a Christology. Exploring both constructive theology and popular religion, this collection of essays from top U.S. Latino/a scholars reveals the varieties of religious experience in the United States and the importance of Latino/a understandings of Christ to both academy and community.

Introduccion a la Vida y Pensamiento de JuanWesley