Ryan&Amber2013
Puritan Board Graduate
What are some good ways to care for the local poor and needy in our church and community? Thanks
Good Ways to Care for the Poor?
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earl40
Puritan Board Professor
In the "church" ask a deacon. In the "community" help as God providentially provides, which may include one going out to seek those in need.
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If you are asking on a personal level, ask God for clear direction to one or maybe two needy people or families and don't try to take on too much. Elijah fed one widow and Jesus healed one man at the pool of Bethesda. Helping just one is OK, in fact it is maybe the best plan. I used to feel pulled in 100 directions until we settled down to really help a very limited number.
earl40
Puritan Board Professor
Excellent advise. I have found that The Lord sets in front of me many opportunities to keep my plate full which usually entails my immediate family and acquaintances.
OPC'n
Puritan Board Doctor
I think it would be a great idea for a church to start an items bank (if your church has a spare room). Instead of donating items to Goodwill or other similar places, you could bring them to the church for ppl to "shop" for items they need. Large items (couches beds etc) could be listed on your church's FB page or other media outlets.
It also is a great help to clean house, cook a meal, child care etc.
It also is a great help to clean house, cook a meal, child care etc.
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
I'd say the first step is not re-inventing the wheel. Identify and leverage existing resources.
Second, start with needs in your own congregation.
Third, go back to step one, and identify where there are holes in the existing resources that you (corporately or individually) might fill or what existing programs you might feel called to help out.
Fourth, guard against opening your wallet to the scam artist with the best sob story. Coordinate with the folks you identified in step one to avoid double dipping, and search out those too modest or ashamed to ask for needed help.
Second, start with needs in your own congregation.
Third, go back to step one, and identify where there are holes in the existing resources that you (corporately or individually) might fill or what existing programs you might feel called to help out.
Fourth, guard against opening your wallet to the scam artist with the best sob story. Coordinate with the folks you identified in step one to avoid double dipping, and search out those too modest or ashamed to ask for needed help.
Ryan&Amber2013
Puritan Board Graduate
Thank you. From your experience, what are some good programs you've been a part of?
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Personally, or corporately? Personal favorite is the quarterly ministry to the elderly, disabled, and single mothers in the church where we go out and fix whatever needs fixing, hopefully matching skills to needs.
Corporately, we cooperate with a PCUSA church in feeding the homeless, a Catholic church food bank, etc. As far as giving out money, there is a screening process for applicants, and the money has to make a difference, not just move the crisis date back a few days. (Different funds, soft caps, and processes for members and non-members). I try to personally stay away from programs where I fear my discernment would overwhelm my mercy, and leave those to folks with a better balance. (As I have quoted elsewhere on this board, "A man's got to know his limitations". )
JimmyH
Puritan Board Senior
I was examined for the office of Deacon a couple of months ago. Session approved me and the congregation will vote yea or nay in December at the annual meeting. Part of my instruction has been to look for needs within your own membership first. For people outside the membership ascertain whether they are believers attending a church. Last is non believers. Any funds given must be approved by session which should help to separate wheat from chaff, figuratively speaking. Here is an instructive article from the OPC website ;
http://opc.org/os.html?issue_id=127
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Our session gives the diaconate funds to work with which are administered by a committee subject to a hard cap per recipient per year. Over the cap, and the committee and a pastor have to make a recommendation to the entire diaconate which then votes by majority (votes usually by email). Names are withheld from the full diaconate, but enough facts are given for an informed decision. Non-members have a lower cap, and have an application and interview process.
The assistance ministry I mentioned above has a separate budget, and a small dollar amount expended in connection with a project is reimbursed when a receipt is turned in by the team doing the work; larger amounts need to be approved prior to being incurred.
Ryan&Amber2013
Puritan Board Graduate
I have a desire as well to pursue being a deacon, and as well, because the Lord has saved my life and given up His own for my sake, I want to give up mine in service to Him. What a privilege.
I've been thinking about volunteering at the hospital doing visitations. Any thoughts?
I've been thinking about volunteering at the hospital doing visitations. Any thoughts?
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Get some training, first. A physician and the pastor to senior adults conducted a training session for the diaconate with 'do's and 'don't's from both perspectives. A lot of it was common sense - in retrospect. A less formal approach would be to tag along with an elder or pastor on visits for some OTJ training. If your schedule permits, more useful than patient visits might be to sit with families during surgery, doing more listening than talking.
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