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Does Recession Hinder Churches?
| Guest post by: SarahBeth White |
Article Overview: When people are hurting financially, spiritually, grieving a loss, and going through other hard times, they will often turn to the church for guidance even if they are not church-goers. Most churches have benevolence committees and funds used to help the needy year round but from Thanksgiving on through the holidays, more requests come in for help than any other time of year. With the recession, churches are being hard hit for assistance. Some churches have food pantries, clothes closets; some can help with power bills, pay for medicine and other ways in which the needy require and request help. When church members are hurting from similar experiences, their church families will surround them with love and whatever assistance they might need. My church in the past has paid my heating bill because I got laid off and needed help.
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Does Recession Hinder Churches?
Since churches are businesses, they will also feel the effects of the present recession or will they? If you are not a church-goer, Bible thumper, or interested in what we do in church, you will scoff at this article. America is becoming less a Christian nation with other religions pushing harder than we do to build, to reach the lost and do the many things laid out for us in the New Testament.
These scoffers disbelieve that churches not only get through these hard times but actually grow in members and tithes and "donations" from existing church members. The press has always been antagonistic towards the Christian church so what I say here will probably give them a few laughs, but I will say it anyway.
When people are hurting financially, spiritually, grieving a loss, and going through other hard times, they will often turn to the church for guidance even if they are not church-goers. Most churches have a benevolence committee and funds used to help the needy year round but from Thanksgiving on through the holidays, more requests come in for help than any other time of year. Some churches have food pantries, clothes closets, while some can help with power bills, pay for medicine and in other ways which the needy require and make requests for help.
When church members are hurting from similar experiences, their church families will surround them with love and whatever assistance they might need. My church recently paid my heating bill. It was no small feat since it was for two months. They asked me to email the particulars and stated that they would handle it. Soon afterwards, I received an email saying my bill was paid in full. Such an answer to prayer as I did not know how I was going to pay it.
Also, year round, not just during a recession, churches maintain food pantries and clothes closets set up to help those going through difficult times. Just because there is a "recession" right now, it does not affect churches or church goers who follow scripture and Biblical teaching putting more emphasis on that than on what the media has to say. The traditional media, such as major networks and newspapers, have always leaned towards bigotry against the church and prominent church figures especially focusing on church leaders who stumble.
In contrast, if you expected the "recession" to cause churches: to close their doors, have lessor monies in the offering plate, turn away the needy or let employees go, you will not find this in my church or in churches all across the nation. This is a time for massive action and most churches have been prepared for an increase in needs, have more money to function with and have been busily helping people during the recession while the media continues harping on how hard times are for our country. If the media would enter churches, their services on Sunday and during the week, they would see how churches function throughout the week serving the community and beyond. You may find something else while visiting and that would be a better knowledge of Jesus, who He was, the peace He gives, and why we do what we do despite any recession.
My life is more fulfilled and happier because of time I am now able to spend with my son; time to go hiking with my dog, Mo; and time with my friends and family despite any economic downturn/recession. Time = Freedom.
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Article Tags: benevolence, church members, churches, food pantries, recession
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com
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About the Author: SarahBeth White RSS for SarahBeth's articles - Visit SarahBeth's website Considered to be highly educated. Enjoy traveling in the U.S. learning about our different cultures. Staunch Republican and Southern Baptist which is considered by some to be a lethal combination. Belonging to the ranks of those laid off, I am rebuilding my life so my writing will soon reflect as much. Burning desire in my soul to write but for two years now the only writing I have done is resumes and cover letters. Cattle on 1000 Hills as my blopspot name http://cattleon1000hills.blogspot.com, Facebook, have lain dormant too long. They are about to bust loose! My friends think I am crazy or brave or both but I have decided to leave the comforts of my 'home' and move to the mountains where I always planned on 'retiring'. I can enjoy hiking with my dog, Mo, sitting in front of my potbellied stove reading and writing, and sitting outside writing with the music of nature in my ears instead of all the sounds of the city which now annoy me. Mo, a Newffie, looks like a bear and we hope to see a black bear but not up close and personal. Mo is about the size of a smaller black bear so he will have to wear the hunting vests I custom made for him when we hike so no one mistakes him for one. I am so excited about our new life and long to begin writing from all that has been saved up during this dormancy. Click here to visit SarahBeth's website   How Do You Use Facebook for Business What is the Art to Decision Making What Four Steps for Success Can You Take in Internet Marketing Inner Strength Do You Have It If not How do You Get It How do Churches Cope with the Recession |
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