Many have “stimulus” package to help those in need

Blustery economic circumstances today have prompted responses from churches, many with their own comprehensive stimulus package to help those in need. They are bolstering material aid, such as pumping up benevolence funds and stocking more food into pantries. But churches are also increasing spiritual aid, offering more pastoral care and sermons and worship services focusing on God’s message for these tough times.

Teleios asked pastors this spring about how they were helping people in these tough economic conditions. Through written questionnaires, 34 pastors shared what their congregations were doing for their members and their communities. Here is how they responded:

When asked for more details:

• Seven pastors mentioned that food and material aid was their most successful response to the recession.
• Six pastors mentioned they have linked with other churches to provide support and care in their communities.
• Some pastors named “the ministry of presence” during these times. “There are times when my days are filled with crises ministry – walking with families with job loss . . . but also with those left to do the work of two or three people as their company strives to survive,” said one pastor.
• Kirk Hangar, New Hope Fellowship, Alexandria, Va., is one of those pastors aiming for a comprehensive approach – and paying attention to people resources among the church membership.

  “We are working on a four-part strategy that includes: 1) education about financial principles, 2) establishing an emergency fund, 3) creating a savings plan for low-income and undocumented members, and 4) creating a small-loan program,” he said. New Hope is able to implement this program because one member is a former employee of a church agency that teaches and uses these strategies around the world.

• A few pastors are working specifically with employer/former employee relationships. Some wrote about attending to those in difficult positions of owners and supervisors, including one who said managers “feel a deep responsibility in the process of lay-offs and keeping the company going.”
• Pastor Don Delagrange, Central Church, Fort Wayne, Ind., organized a group that meets twice monthly for employment networking. The group includes job seekers and potential employers.
• Tony Doehrmann, Jubilee Mennonite Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio, is researching Common Security Clubs as described in the February 2009 Sojourners magazine. Jubilee is also scheduling outside speakers to help members manage stress during traumatic changes.
• Central Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Wood River Mennonite, Neb., have used Financial Peace University materials in their communities.

What’s ahead?
The economic downturn may be with us for awhile. So, we asked pastors about their plans for the future. What did they want to do yet or improve? They listed these activities:

• Systematic teaching of financial principles and elimination of debt.
• Help people cope with lay-offs and find new employment.

• Setting aside more congregational funds to handle emergencies.
• Strengthen their benevolence fund and put better procedures in place for using the fund.
• Ask the congregation to consider providing emergency housing.

Suggestions for “newbie” churches
We asked pastors in the trenches of this economic downturn for insights that might help pastors or churches just now feeling the pinch of the poor economy. They said:

• Continue to encourage people to serve, give, and tithe.
• Stay connected to households that seem to be withdrawing.
• Be careful with benevolence funds, following good screening and disbursement procedures.
• Invite people who experienced the 1980s farm crisis, the Great Depression, or other economic downturns to share their stories with others.

Serving a church in an economically depressed community, one pastor suggested a universal answer about the situation. He said, “Pray!”

Pastors who responded to the Teleios questionnaire
Their communities
Small town or rural communities: 24
Suburban communities: 5
Urban communities: 5

Their communities’ economic condition compared to the nation
Worse off: 10
About the same: 16
Better off: 7