Description
This short article from The Gospel Coalition (TGC) gives readers suggestions for impactful ways congregations can meaningfully serve those in poverty. Observing that faith communities are increasingly expected to provide the type of support historically given by government, TGC suggests four ways congregations can help fill that void and develop programming that does more than address the immediate or short-term needs of the destitute. Congregations with existing care ministries that serve the poor or wish to develop one will find four seemingly basic yet potent ideas they can implement to foster lasting change for the indigent.Features
- Links to related resources
- 6-minute read
- Scripturally supported
Practical Applications
- Include this article in assigned readings for your congregation's ministry group exploring how to develop or improve ways to create lasting, postiive change to community members move out of poverty.
- Refer this article to all of your ministry teams, including those that serve the indigent, to illustrate the need for long-term- instead of immediate-needs-based ministry in order to effect lasting positive change for those in poverty as well as those served in other ministry areas.
- Incorporate into a sermon series the message from this article, that ministries helping those in poverty can partner with those they're helping. This kind of collaborative ministry work helps address the immediate problem, poverty, in a way that gives dignity as well as tools that enable those being served to help themselves and others.
