I enjoyed Bishop Bob Berg’s “Quarters for World Hunger.” After my first reading I found my mind returning to the piece which, to me, indicates its potential value. I generally find that a work is more likely to engage others if it earns more than passing interest (from myself, in this case.) I judge it to be a useful piece for a religious leader who is seeking ways to develop her or his community’s monetary giving habits.

I have chosen Jane Vella’s 12 Principles as an evaluative tool and I find that the author employs at least ten of Vella’s Principles Learners listen safely as Bishop Berg shares a story from his own childhood experience. From this beginning, he shares of revisiting this memory, and finding there a new purpose; then he enlarges upon that goal and invites others to share in it. From his position of authority as bishop, he speaks with credibility of a theological commitment to supporting personal and church efforts to sustain the poor of our world. Relating as one with fond childhood memories as well as the maturity of an experienced adult, Berg seeks to engage his listeners in visioning how the smallest contributions are significant and add to a greater whole. Listeners may choose not to participate in his offer, but they are led to see how their participation can contribute to greater successes for all.

Of Vella’s principles, Berg uses safety, sound relationship (speaking from an authority position and displaying commitment to God’s righteousness), sequence and reinforcement. He shares an experience, reflects upon it – finding new information, updating and transforming the experience – then adjusts his behavior to include his new knowledge; true praxis. Other learners are invited, but do not have to partake.

From infancy people hunger for stories that lead them into fuller lives. Stories can be quite as effective as any another art at engaging others and at calling forth feelings, at leading to learning or action. The principle of immediacy is in appealing for others to share in the World Hunger mission. With creativity, others could use his example to adapt this idea to other equally valid missions. Speaking as teacher, child, mature adult, spouse, and caring Christian in part with others of a similar community he employs clear roles throughout. He concludes by speaking to teamwork and engagement – of the larger church’s commitment to the World Hunger cause and invites all to join in that participation.