Wow, this is a good question. At our church, we do help those who are in financial need. With that said, we don't just hand out money. There is a verification process to go through. We have had several people come to the church asking for help with light bills, rent, food and college. We are a small church so we do what we can to assist those in need. All financial transactions are done by check. The check is not made out directly to the person who is asking, it goes directly to the company they have to pay. Sometimes we don't pay all of it, but we do help with at least half of it.
As far as money for college, we do have a scholarship fund in place. They have to be a member of our church to receive it and they have to fill out an application form for it. It's only disbursed twice a year. This past Sunday, we took up a love offering for a family whose house burned down. As far as food, we have a food bank for that. We have can goods stocked up and as far as other things like meat, milk, eggs...etc, the person who is over the food bank gets a check from the treasurer to buy the extra food.
In some cases, we have had the same people ask for help over and over again...but the line had to be drawn somewhere ;)
Wow, this is a good question. At our church, we do help those who are in financial need. With that said, we don't just hand out money. There is a verification process to go through. We have had several people come to the church asking for help with light bills, rent, food and college. We are a small church so we do what we can to assist those in need. All financial transactions are done by check. The check is not made out directly to the person who is asking, it goes directly to the company they have to pay. Sometimes we don't pay all of it, but we do help with at least half of it.
As far as money for college, we do have a scholarship fund in place. They have to be a member of our church to receive it and they have to fill out an application form for it. It's only disbursed twice a year. This past Sunday, we took up a love offering for a family whose house burned down. As far as food, we have a food bank for that. We have can goods stocked up and as far as other things like meat, milk, eggs...etc, the person who is over the food bank gets a check from the treasurer to buy the extra food.
In some cases, we have had the same people ask for help over and over again...but the line had to be drawn somewhere ;)
I believe most churches can't help those in need because they live beyond their means... trying to keep up with da joneses...
This is a very sensitive issue for me. Being a CPA and at one time being approached by a church to work for them full time, I was apalled at how badly some church finances are handled. I strongly believe the church MUST help their members and budget the finances to include such help. I think a lot of churches spend the majority of their budgets on Salaries, and Building expenses. It would be so much wiser to have a smaller facility that could help people than a larger one that can't.
That's very interesting that you are a CPA because our executive administrator (1st Lady) is a CPA who decided that the children of God needed to be taught correctly how to budget, which is why the stipulations at our church are so strong when it comes to asking for money
I can understand where your First Lady is coming from; at the same time, I don't see how some folks, in dire financial straits, could provide your church with a budget plan. If they had one, then they wouldn't necessarily be in dire financial straits, would they?
Just a thought.
If an individual cant come to the church......................then where are they to go
I believe the church should help anyone in need, not just the members. My old church refused to help anyone that wasnt a member, if they decided to help a member it had to go to the Deacons, then to COnference to get approval and then only a small amount was given.
I realize there should be guidleines as to helping people, when they are continously come for the church to bail them out, I agree with Vt's chruch, teach them budgeting and financial responsiblity. Its the lack of teaching financial responsibility that gets church/non church folk in trouble.
We normally will take up an offering when there is a request for a need, the individual asking (remains annon) recieves the total offering in the form of a check, I have yet to see the offering under $500.00 dollars, and we also are a small congregation. (100)
If an individual cant come to the church......................then where are they to go
I believe that if someone comes from the outside they can get help BUT i believe they should b taught the basic fundamentals of giving and recieving (i.e. tithing) so they will be able to go on there own. No sense in helping a unbeliever without at least attempting to bring them into the kingdom and give them kingdom principles..
How are we to teach them Kingdom principles (tithing) if we cant shoe enough love to help them when they are in need.
Love is the basic principle...............if we fail to show that as a church, we can forget about bringing them into the kingdom much less teaching them about tithing
You make some very good points, B. I think most churches will help, the extent of the help they can provide is a different story.
Here is the topic of the week. Remember this is a "serious" discussion. Any sarcastic comments will be deleted.
Recently, two people I know fell on hard times. They were dedicated that attended Church and Bible Study and they also paid there tithes.
Both of them went to there churches for help and both were told by there home church that the church couldn't help them out.
My question is: Should today's church help out there members in financial need??
How are we to teach them Kingdom principles (tithing) if we cant shoe enough love to help them when they are in need.
Love is the basic principle...............if we fail to show that as a church, we can forget about bringing them into the kingdom much less teaching them about tithing
Lastly, I don't agree with the way my church handles these situations. We have a benevolence fund. If a member who is faithful, pays tithes, and is considerate with offerings recieves help from this fund, they are required to pay back the money. I don't understand it. I really hope there is a legitimate reason for this. What do you think? --PEACE--
Lastly, I don't agree with the way my church handles these situations. We have a benevolence fund. If a member who is faithful, pays tithes, and is considerate with offerings recieves help from this fund, they are required to pay back the money. I don't understand it. I really hope there is a legitimate reason for this. What do you think? --PEACE--
That's very interesting that you are a CPA because our executive administrator (1st Lady) is a CPA who decided that the children of God needed to be taught correctly how to budget, which is why the stipulations at our church are so strong when it comes to asking for money
Nice points SaxandKeys.
Thanks 4his....on an off topic sidenote on tithing, I ran into some musicians in N. Va. who said that their church automatically takes a tithe out of their perfomance pay????
Whatcha think about that?
HMMMM...If these people were to address their brothers and sisters in the church individually, I would think they would receive some help. That being said, why is getting help coporately any different.I hear what you're saying, but there are people who struggle but still do everything they can to support the church, and then on the other hand there are those who only take and never give, shouldn't the one who gives be entitled to help when they get in a jam? The other person who doesn't give should be helped as well, but I think some consideration should be given to those who sacrifice so the ministry can be supported and literally keep the church doors open... when they fall on hard times, the church should run to their rescue.
It is my opinion that tithing is a personal responsibility, and should be audited only by God. Should we only show love and charity only to those who tithe? Maybe it's just me but I don't want to start thinking FOR God....I would rather try to think like God, and let Him handle the audits.
just an opinion.