If Every Church [Social Programs]
If every church just picked one community program to support and fund imagine how much we could do. I’m not saying that every church doesn’t, but I was thinking about social programs and the role of government this morning, and I just got to thinking that as a Christian one of my beliefs is that the Church should be responsible for social programs in the community, not the government.
This probably shows a little of my hand when it comes to the upcoming election, but at the same time, I think the Church as a whole doesn’t do a great job impacting the community and helping to care for social needs.
Honestly, I believe that the government will not ever be able to fulfill the role responsibly or adequately.
I believe the Church is commissioned by God to impact and care for the community.
1) For the community of Believers.
2) For the community it is surrounded by.
At my church we support 1 community program. We chose one to give all of our allocated resources to, instead of picking several and spreading them thin. It’s a program for rehabiliting mother’s from drug addiction. This program provides housing, training, security, and hope for families. Men are not allowed to stay over. It’s a gated community.
We give cars to these single moms. We throw parties and festivals for the kids. We donate clothes. We donate food and bring the kids christmas gifts. We give them rides to church. I believe fully that we are making a great impact in the lives of these families.
If every church could pick just one program and put a lot of resources into it, I think there wouldn’t be a need for the government to “try” and be the primary social need meeter in our nation.
Personally, I would rather give my time and resources to a program that is right here in my community that is funded by the Church, than pay taxes that will be spread thin for government run social programs that won’t be run efficiently. There is no need for the federal government to even try. Seriously.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Russ,
I just had a great conversation with a really intelligent guy yesterday about the effectiveness of government social programs - or more realistically the NON-effectiveness. I’m big on small government.
YES - churches (and other private, local, non-religious institutions) do a MUCH better job at social justice than the federal government.
Those were my views before I ever heard of this year’s candidates. Yes, I’m voting for the candidates that represent these views.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
@billy, right on. I guess I’ve always felt that way too. I’ve just been really thinking about it lately because a lot and I mean a lot of people I know are voting for a particular candidate because of the “social responsibility” angle, and I just don’t get it.
I mean I get that we should help others, and that Jesus would too…but…
September 20th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I totally agree with you about churches and other local organizations being not only able to but should as a matter of conscience help those less fortunate “than” they are in their local communities.
I’m sorry though. I have a pet peave about the usage of “then” and “than.”
Quote from dictionary.com:
“What is the difference between then and than?
These two words are quite different! Their only similarity is in the way they sound. Than is used to compare or contrast things, as in ‘He is a lot smaller than his older brother.’ Then refers to time or consequence: ‘And the Canaanite was then in the land’ (Gen. xii. 6.); ‘If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom’ (Locke). So if one thing follows or results from another, use then. Than is also used before a pronoun, as in ‘Paul loves pizza more than me.’”
I don’t believe you meant you also wanted to pay taxes for those services that the local organizations were taking care of did you?
As far as voting goes… which one is the lesser of two evils? Do you really believe anyone is going to effect changes in a system that is so entrenched? I doubt it. Until we can get away from a two party system without any chance of another party having a shot at getting a candidate elected I am afraid we are in a catch twenty two situation. I sure hope God knows what He is doing when He allows these people to come into power.
The main problem with leaving it all up to local organizations though is that churches have not historically done that great of a job at taking care of people’s needs. They are more concerned about their sanctimonious pews, buildings, organs (musical instruments that is) and the page the bible is turned to on the communion table. Let’s get real. Who can we really depend on?
September 20th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Yes, Jimmy. Thank you for being the grammar police!
Corrected.
We can depend on people who act. Period.
I’m thankful to be a part of a church who does act. A church who doesn’t spread itself thin over tons of programs or missions projects all over the world, but one that looked right in it’s own backward to affect change.
We can not EVER depend on the government to be a fix all or end all to problems that they have no business fixing.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hello,
I loved your comment on Los’s Blog post about Love Takes Balls! SO true, if it’s not Christ loving through us it’s a waste. All we have to do is get up and move and ask God to love through us and for HIS glory and the guts or strength, whatever, will come.
Good word.