Reprinted from the Chalmers Center.
Has your church or organization experienced an increase in people asking for financial assistance? As costs have been on the rise this year, often the people hit hardest are those with limited financial resources to begin with.
So what should you do when people come to your church or ministry to ask for assistance with their bills?
Let us start by saying there’s not a simple answer to this question, but there are a few things you can do to help.
First: Pray. Ask God for wisdom and a spirit of gentleness toward those in need.
Second: Open your doors and your hearts to begin conversations with people, treating them as whole people, not just problems to solve.
Third: Get trained to help well.
- Our Faith & Finances program is specifically designed for people living at the poverty line. Getting trained as Faith & Finances facilitator allows you to walk through a holistic financial education program with low-income adults, helping them learn to steward their money well, navigate the financial system, and avoid predatory lending. Click here to register for the next Faith & Finances Facilitator training.
- Our Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry training walks you through the process of developing and implementing an effective benevolence program. We know how difficult effective benevolence ministry can be, and after years of studying and testing best practices, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. We’ll walk alongside you as you develop a ministry that supports people toward lasting change. Click here to register for the next Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry training.
There is no quick fix solution to material poverty, but getting trained as a Faith & Finances facilitator or to start an effective benevolence ministry in your church or nonprofit are great ways to help without hurting.
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