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of their carrying on with their mission rather than an intentional exercise in thinking about social responsibility.\u000AD. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT\u000AThe previous section showed that the NPS do not have an elaborated discourse about social responsibility neither do they concede the same importance to the implementation of their programmes of social aid. This double posture does not necessarily signify lack of interest in social problems. They show preoccupation for the wellbeing of their membership and for the wellbeing of the country expressed in essentially religious language. As will be observed later, they have social projects along Neo-Pentecostal lines. Ron Sider\u2019s second typology about social responsibility (1993: 139-140) can be applied indirectly to their social projects. This has to do with the provision of tools to promote self management and development of people. Some beliefs and programmes that the NPS have could be taken as a proposal to promote spiritual and social development.\u000ANot all of the pastors show the same attitude or provide necessary space for social issues in their pastoral reflections. Generally, these pastors do not plant their ideas within the categories of sociological analysis as some Evangelicals102 would or take into account the academic context. They use their own language to confront the social issues. They present their ideas and social beliefs in categories which come from a religious order. Conversion does not only reach the spiritual world but also brings with it the idea of transformation in this present world. They visualize social issues as a problem within the spiritual order, and as result, they say that they are caused through the warfare against evil\u000A102 The church\u2019s social responsibility has been discussed in several congresses celebrated in both the context of Evangelical conservative churches as well as churches of a more progressive nature both in Guatemala and outside. For example, the Latin American Fraternity (FTL), celebrated the First Latin American Congress of Evangelism Acci\u00F3n en Cristo\u2019 in Bogot\u00E1 Colombia in 1969; in Lausanne, Switzerland, the World Congress for Evangelism in 1974. In this congress the well known Lausanne Pact was made which includes social responsibility as an integral part of the mission of the church; The Evangelical consultation on the Gospel and Social responsibility in Grand Rapids in 1982 adds the need for social transformation in the centre of society. The different conferences about solidarity and justice carried out by the Latin American Counsel of Churches (CLAI), are examples of the interest that Evangelicals have in this theme.\u000A 193\u000A


































































































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