HANDLING TRANSIENTS
I operate on the principle that I’d rather be taken in than miss an angel,” says Pastor Michael Easley. “But anyone in ministry knows that the transient network is often faster than a fax. Five dollars given to one will generate a host of similar requests.”
Not wanting to be cynical nor to be taken too many times, Easley developed some specific procedures at Grand Prairie (Texas) Bible Church.
When a transient asks for help, the staff explains that the church will be glad to assist but does not dispense cash. Instead, the staff asks those requesting help to fill out a Person-In-Need form. The form asks for information about place of employment, nearest relative, last church membership, and names and ages of family members.
When this information is sought, 10 percent of the requests are withdrawn. Easley believes those people probably didn’t have a legitimate need.
If someone indicates association with a church, he is told that his own church probably has funds for assistance. Easley’s church will pay for calls if anyone needs to make contact.
Another question on the form gathers information about specific needs: diapers, milk, food, even clothing. One church member is a department store manager who can give away certain amounts of these supplies.
The person is told that on the following Sunday an announcement will say simply that a family is looking for assistance; anyone who would like to help may contact a church staff member after the service. No names or details are given.
Only twice in three years has no one responded to this announcement, and several church families volunteered to be available if that happens. Members offering to help are given information about how to contact the needy family.
If an emergency is presented, such as filling a prescription or getting medical care, the staff responds immediately. Sometimes church families are called upon when emergency needs must be taken care of before the following Sunday for example, if a family’s utilities have been cut off in cold weather.
Completed Person-In-Need forms are kept on file. If a scam is suspected, a few calls to neighboring churches who also use this system will uncover anyone canvassing more than one church.
Easley’s plan has rarely detected dishonesty, and yet “Those who really need help get it.”
HOMELESS CUPBOARD
Want to help the homeless, but not sure how? A group at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Boise, Idaho, checked with local shelters and put together a list of seasonal and perennial items needed by the homeless. Each month, they encourage church members to bring one specific item to church. At the end of the month, the donated items are turned over to local shelters, and the collection begins again for a different item.
Here’s the list they use:
January: toothpaste/toothbrushes
February: cold and flu remedies
March: laundry soap and bleach
April: baby items
May: T-shirts
June: personal hygiene items
July: sheets and towels
August: school supplies
September: socks
October: mittens and gloves
November: coats and sweaters
December: hot-drink mixes/juices
FOOD FOR A DAY
Terry Fisher of Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Michigan, recalls how his former church in San Diego developed a plan to help people with short-term food needs.
The congregation put together lunch bags containing enough non-perishable food for one day. The contents:
2 breakfast bars
2 cans of tuna, in pop-top cans
2 cans of fruit, pop-top cans
2 granola bars
3 juice boxes
1 toothbrush
1 small tube of toothpaste
1 small bar of soap
1 New Testament
A letter from the congregation
Plastic fork and spoon
$5.00.
PENNIES ADD UP
To teach the concept that God uses the little things of the world to accomplish his purposes, Norm Rozenboom’s Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Minnesota, enlisted the help of children aged 3 to 8. The children were given a couple of weeks and challenged to round up all the pennies they could to help alleviate world hunger. The children really got into the act, searching every drawer and pocket. Excitement built, and even some grandparents in the congregation began to contribute. When the children proudly brought their pennies forward on the designated Sunday, they totaled 13,028! More than $100 was raised by no more than ten children.
WINTERIZING CARS
On the first Saturday of October every year, the men of Christian Church of Jacksonville, Arkansas, set up shop in the church parking lot to winterize cars of the community’s poor and elderly.
The church publicizes the service in the local newspaper, on local radio, and by posting notices in senior citizen centers around town.
Ten to twelve volunteers bring their jacks and tools and do any minor work needed to get a car ready for winter: check and flush the cooling system; rotate tires; change oil; check and change belts; do minor tune-ups; check all fluid levels; and even do minor brake work. There is no fee charged, nor any donation suggested. The only expense incurred by those bringing cars is to provide oil and any needed parts.
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Small communities are usually noted for neighborliness and a sense of intimacy. Sometimes, though, the distance between homes in rural areas inhibits closeness. This challenge faced Scott McKay, pastor of Garden Acres Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas, a community of 500 families. To help implement the church’s vision–“To influence people into God’s kingdom and to preserve the community”–Garden Acres publishes a monthly community newsletter.
Features in a recent issue of the four-page newsletter:
Code Blue: “Citizens On Patrol,” an article written by the neighborhood Crime Watch association with tips to protect homes from burglars.
Meet Your Neighbors introduced two families in the community.
Community News: If anyone has a birthday or anniversary, graduates from school, or wins an award, everyone reads about it here. Church events are publicized as well, but only ones that apply to everyone in the community, so the newsletter doesn’t become only a church-insiders’ paper.
In a “Services” section, at no cost, people can advertise their businesses or offer items for sale.
The church’s monthly cost is approximately $60, which includes postage, paper, and copier usage. To date, $162 has been donated by non-church members to defray the costs.
Through the newsletter, residents see that the church does care about the community. Some have visited the church as a result and become members. McKay notes that the church has received more compliments for the newsletter than for anything else it has done.
WHAT’S WORKED FOR YOU?
What program or activity has worked well in your church? For example, how did you:
Turn visitors into eventual members?
Enlist volunteers?
Reach out to your community?
Get members to invite unchurched friends?
LEADERSHIP pays $25 and up for each published account of fresh and effective ministry. Send your description of a helpful ministry, method, or approach to:
Ideas That Work
Leadership
465 Gundersen Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Fax: 1-708-260-0114
E-mail: LeaderJ@aol.com
Copyright (c) 1994 Christianity Today, Inc./LEADERSHIP Journal
Copyright © 1994 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
