Cathy Lynn Grossman
USA TODAY
Pastors say they're giving out benevolent funds in record numbers, increasing ministries to the unemployed and the financially fearful, even reaching into their own pockets more to help.
Nearly two in three pastors (62%) report more people from outside their church asking for help, and nearly a third (31%) see more such requests from church members, according to a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors.
The survey, by LifeWay Research, a Christian polling firm based in Nashville, finds that 40% of pastors say they have church members out of work, and 37% say their church has increased spending to help the needy. (The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.)
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Do you know what the name of that?
God pharmacy!
God pharmacy is the God when we are sick, we go to Him. But who goes the pharmacy when everything is fine?
But God is merciful and always willing to receive those needs. Thanks God!
I don't judge these people because I already did it.
When I had a shop (for a year), was a terror, and I went to church every week.
But question for me when things improved, I managed to get rid of the store, I returned to the job, which was my attendance at church?
One more time: Thanks God!
I am not at all surprised by these statistics.I personally think that God allows rugs to be jerked out from under our feet when we have placed our trust in idols instead of Him. Anything can become an idol – a bank account, a job, a retirement dream. This is not to say we shouldn't save money, work for a living, or plan for our retirement. But when we focus on these things, to the exclusion of the only One who is worthy of worship?
God seeks to get our attention in many ways. if we take an honest look at the months, or maybe even years prior to a challenge like the world faces today, we can see that God has been gently trying to get us to take our eyes off possessions and dreams and even ourselves, and to trust Him. Those who put their trust in Him, who really have no fear for the future.
All of this applies to our church. It's good to see you highlighting what the church is doing to help meet needs during these days. We have a person who will help people with their resumes.
Thanks for highlighting this area of the crisis.
Dave
I agree with Cindy on the morals and values. We have situation though, everyone wants their rights and feel they are being discriminated against. We dont all have the same values.
I wonder how many people after they ask for help and dont get it, will continue to attend church? How many that get help will attend and start giving? This could be such a universal turnaround for church attendance and "witnessing" if the churches have the money and compassion to help. In my area, churches are shutting down.
Back in the old days, the real old days, people didnt turn to their govt and churches for help, they helped each other. We've lost that.
The church has always been there to help and always has helped people. This is just getting more publicity because these times are very difficult for all people not just a few. Basically if it's in the news it's a "squeeky wheel" in society and something hot to report.
We all need help one way or another, we are just human after all and sometimes bad things happen to good people too. Thank God that the churches can help and do try. To be angry about this and to finger point accomplishes nothing productive. Lets move on and help where we can – we ARE the church and the people that God moves to do His work. If i can do anything within my power and within reason to help my neighbor – what's wrong with that? That's why we are here.
These problems aren't going away if we turn our heads and look the other way or hide until its over. There will always be problems in our homes, communities, and country. We must work together to help each other, not get indigent about it.
I pray that we can all pull together like they did in Fargo and help each other survive. If i can do more than just pray i will get off of my seat and actually go out and lend a hand. Just do what you feel you can do – that's all. If you don't have any money then do something else. Everything makes a difference – even indifference!
Politics is the last resort of the scoundrels, so goes the saying.
Likewise spirituality is the first asylum for the fear filled nation.
I'm all for more people going to church. Maybe this will actually turn this nation around and we can actually get back our morals and values that so many people have lost along the way! That is what is wrong with our nation! The morals and values were kicked out the door and people started stealing, killing, doing raw deals and what not and look where it has gotten us! Hopefully people will wake up and realize that you can't just live any old way and expect things to just flow with no problems. It won't happen!
Cindy..Ga.
When religious orgaizations are on the receiving side--you don't see much media press coverage on that---now it is time for these religious organization to "giveth,"---how sad it is--it is always better to "giveth" than "receive."