Interesting Article in The Christian Chronicle

[Linda Hardin]

May's issue of The Christian Chronicle has a front page article "Churches help needy, try to screen out greedy" that's worth the read. The article states that at some congregations requests for benevolence are up 25% or more according to a recent survey. There are differing opinions about how we should distribute the Lord's resources. Some feel there should be a screening process and background checks to eliminate those who scam. Others feel it is our responsibility to always give and take the chance of getting scammed instead of turning people away. I'm somewhere in the middle where it's safe. By ministering to those who come for food, I get to know who the regulars are and I try to ask them lots of questions about what's going on in their life to get an idea of what their struggle may be. I pray for God's wisdom in how to proceed if I feel that someone is abusing our system. At High Pointe, the amount of groceries we give away has almost tripled in the past year. Last year at this time we were handing out an average of 35 bags a month and this year that number has jumped to 96 per month. Our members, along with some canned items from the Collin County Food Pantry, help us support this ministry. As we continue to rely on our members to bring food in today's economic crunch, it is even more important that we are good stewards of what the Lord provides. What are your thoughts on rules or guidelines for distributing food to those who come every week?

[James Nored]

To our readers - what has happened in your benevolence ministry over the past year? Have you seen a big increase in number of request? How have you responded to this?

[K. Rex Butts]

I too would much rather be scammed and taken than be so constricted in my benevolence that I inadvertantly restrict help from someone who truly needs help. However, I too have found that entering into a conversation with those seeking help where I can hear their story and their needs will help me sometimes to identify what it is a person needs help with, which they may not ever be aware of. For example, last year I had a woman come to our church (we are located in Minnesota) asking for money to purchase a bus ticket to the state of Texas. After talking with her and listening to her, it became obvious that this lady was a "special needs" person, that she would have no where to stay once in Texas, and was trying to flee an abusive living environment here in Minnesota. I believed at the time (and still do) that buying her a bus ticket to Texas would not help her at all but only complicate her problems. Instead, to help her, I notified the proper local goverment agencies as well as another local (and larger) church that could help someone who is both a "special needs" person and is being abused. I believe the first step to helping anyone is to listen to them.

Grace and peace,

Rex

[James Nored]

Rex, you make a great point about listening. We need to do more than just hand out food. As much as people are willing and we have time, we need to ask about their life and listen to their story. God can speak to us through them, and this also give us a chance to speak to them. This humanizes them as well. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[Chris Flores]

There was a ministry that was started years ago in Newberg, Oregon called Love INC. (In the Name of Christ). Most of the churches (of all faiths) do their benevolence through Love INC. Each church is then designated a certain ministry. The church I was part of focus on the Furniture Ministry, while the Baptist, had the food pantry, another clothes and so on and so on. Anytime anyone came for any assistance, we would meet with them, but mostly refer them to Love Inc, where they do a one time profile interview. This was mainly started because there were families going from church to church asking for rent assistance from all churches in the town, so when all the churches connected with Love Inc, it eliminated the greediness hop (that is what I like to call it) Any assistance that is given to an individual and is recorded in their profile, and vouchers are given out from Love Inc for clothes, furniture or food. Anything monetary is given directly from Love Inc, by donations of the churches. When Gas was high (I think it still is actually) gas cards were given out, gift certificates to grocery stores and such. It is a neat organization that I think every city or region should adopt and adapt to their needs and liking. Oh and not every recipient becomes a soul saved but you still get them!

[James Nored]

Chris, we used LOVE, Inc. when I was with the church in Liberty, MO. It is a great organization, and it does help churches keep one another aware of who has been helped. Thanks for sharing.

[James Nored]

Here is a link to the Chrisntian Chronicle Article by Bobby Ross - Benevolence in a recession: Churches help needy, try to screen out greedy