Now thats what Im talking about!
The following is an article reported in the Kansas City Star of one church the provided a special gift to a needy family in their church. Take a look at the article:
Church's charity goes to 'Xtreme'.Byline: Deann Smith, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Dec. 19--Sitting among the congregation of BreakPointe Community Church on Sunday, 12-year-old Hannah Wastland knew her father would talk about her difficult journey to get her new liver in October. Hannah's father, John Wastland, is pastor of another Kansas church, Osawatomie Wesleyan. On Sunday, he stood before the BreakPointe congregation, giving a testimonial at the 8:30 a.m. service. Hannah thought that the piles of presents on the stage of the Overland Park church were for a Christmas play. When two "ang-elves," complete with white robes and Christmas caps, pulled a toy wagon toward her, Hannah giggled. Then her expression turned to one of stunned amazement when the Rev. Tom Kinnan explained that the wagon was filled with presents -- including a $500 gift card -- for Hannah and her family. "I'm so thankful," Hannah whispered afterward. Giving thanks and celebrating the true spirit of Christmas were the inspirations behind BreakPointe's "Xtreme Christmas," with about $25,000 worth of gifts -- including clothes, toys, a used car and a college scholarship -- given to 22 families and individuals during two services Sunday. The initial impetus for "Xtreme Christmas" was Oprah Winfrey's talk show and ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." "We were inspired by Oprah when she gave away 276 cars," Kinnan, BreakPointe's senior pastor, told the congregation at the 8:30 service. Thus, BreakPointe Charities was born in 2004, and "Xtreme Christmas" debuted last December. In two years, the charity has raised money or received corporate support for gifts valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, including vehicles, a refurbished motor home and groceries. Fewer than half of the families that received gifts Sunday were members of the church at 10001 W. 88th St. Kinnan said that the church believes it is vital to support the entire community and not just its congregation. Some of the recipients either knew or suspected that they would receive gifts. Others had no clue. Some of the requests were poignant in their humility. A mother of six requested toilet paper and didn't ask for any toys for her children. She got the toilet paper, plus groceries. And each child got at least one gaily wrapped toy. Eric Day of Olathe, who had his two toddlers in tow, had seen other families receive their wrapped presents. So he knew what was coming when Kinnan called him to the stage and told the story of his wife's struggles against liposarcoma, a cancer that develops from fat cells, and of debilitating treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Day was overcome when Kinnan announced that the church would pay his January and February mortgage bills, totaling $2,400. "We knew God would help us out," he said. ------------ To reach DeAnn Smith, call (816) 234-4412 or send e-mail to dsmith@kcstar.com. Copyright (c) 2005, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com. COPYRIGHT 2005 The Kansas City Star
Can You Help Me?
Everyday we receive calls from people looking for emergency financial assistance. Low-incomes families in DuPage County make up over 15% of the community according to Census Data provided by the Federal Government. Nationally there is an average of 11-13% of the population that does not earn enough to break the cycle of poverty. Many are surprised to learn that there are 50,000 low-income people living and working in DuPage County. (This according to The Federation – see:
http://www.love-cc.org/ )
Our volunteers work tirelessly to counsel those who call about community services and file the necessary paperwork that provides assistance through a network of caring churches and community organizations. Each month we receive over 400 calls from people. “Can you help me?” is a common question we receive. Their stories vary however. Some call because they lost their job. Others call because they had their hours reduced and it has placed financial hardships before them. There are others who call because a sickness in the family prevented them from working and there are no paid sick days.
These people are in crisis! Their needs outweigh their ability to meet them. Their worries and anxieties overwhelm their ability to manage. Their hurts and disappointments are apparent! Our Call-In Center volunteers bear the brunt of this. Those in crisis will get express life’s disappointments. Our Call-In Center volunteers also share good news that lifts the spirits of those in crisis. A soft answer does turn away wrath.
The good news we share is financial and community networking that provides a need. But more than just a transaction of referrals and financial assistance is the message we deliver. That message is help in the name of Christ, hope that will carry them through tough times and the knowledge that God does care. Our messengers are the volunteers who talk with those in need and our network of churches that demonstrate a unifying body of believers, meeting the needs of low-income families.
Imagine for just a moment church working together and meeting real needs of people in crisis. One church providing used furniture, another church providing group services that manages resources for a family in need, another church providing clothing and another church providing food. What an exciting picture! LOVE is the bridge that meets real needs of people in crisis and works to network these resources appropriately for people frustrated with life and calling out, “Can you help me?”
Building Credibility
Jesus told his followers that they were the “…light of the world.” He challenged them do good because others are watching. He told them that people “…may your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16) The gospel is about delivering good news but credibility is the key in developing trust in relationships. If we are say we are of Christ then we must also be a reflection of that which He is!
Sharing love with those in need is one way we express authentic representation of the Christ we follow. In the book, “Going Public with the Gospel” by Lon Allison and Mark Anderson we are challenged to proclaim the gospel with authenticity.
The authors write:
The church was the primary influence in government, education, science, the arts, entertainment and almost every sphere of life, but over time this changed. The church slowly ceased being the influence in society and grew content with a separate culture of their own. (pg 32)
The implications for this are seen almost every day as people continue to migrate away from faith and religion to other places of involvement. Churches have seemingly lost their place of relevant influence. How can it get it back?
I believe that through compassionate ministries the church can recover and become a welcomed resource once again in society. We can do this by effectively sharing our resources with those who are in need. I have seen the welcome mat given to the church as we participate in providing compassionate ministries to needy people. The authors tell us that the world must be persuaded. “Today gospel speech will not stand on its own in convincing a lost world. It never has. Wesley, Moody, Graham or Booth – evangelist realize that demonstrating the gospel is critical. Ministries of compassion, development, and justice go hand-in-hand with proclamation.” (pg 122) The results of such a change in method will testify of the light Jesus referred to. It is through our witness of love in the lives of people that we can build trust in relationship so that our words will have meaning.
The challenge for churches to day is to change our motif of simply attendance and proclaimation evangelism only and become a welcoming and compassionate group of people that builds credibility and positive relationships. Many churches have become just places of social interaction like country clubs. While social connectedness is important to the life of the local church we must also mobilize our efforts and gifts and serve people in need. Jesus demonstrated that sharing love is pretty important if we are to become relevant to the needs of people. “…Jesus went around doing good…” (Acts 10:38) So should we. In this way “…they might see our good deeds and praise (our) Father…”
A Vision for a Love in Action
A recent read of "The Church of Irresitable Influence" written by Rev. Robert Lewis reveals an incredible vision of how the Church can function. The vision of "being" the church of incredible impact in the lives of people is exciting. In the book, Lewis says, (on page 31) “Let me say this with as much of the humility birthed from our own difficult experiences as I can: If the church functions with any other design than that of a bridge, it dooms itself.” This concept of being a bridge to those in need and being a relevant source of help is a New Testament model as demonstrated in the book of Acts.LOVE demonstrated before people will should testify of the life-changing encounter of Christ in us. Lewis speaks of the incarnational principle. That is, living our lives before people in such a way that Christ in us is made obvious. In the purpose of the Church to disciple followers of Christ we can develop an aspect of "being" like Christ in all we do! Lewis says, “There is no greater investment in the future of the church than by identifying, encouraging, and providing training for young leaders in our midst. It’s something every church can do!” (p.179) In training young followers of Christ we cross the divisive arguement of postmodern and modern believer. Many young followers in the Church is looking for a faith that is real, experiencial and practical. By being a church that acts out its faith in the lives of people will create a church that people want to be a part of.Join the journey - demonstrate a love that can relate to the needs of people!In reading a commentary review of the book, Greg Gilbert offers the following quotes and summary.“Let me say straight up: I do not believe in a social gospel that seeks to save the world through human compassion and good works. My trust is in Jesus Christ alone,” p.16. I am sure that is true, but there are statements in the book that subtly shift emphasis away from the preached gospel and toward social work and good deeds. Take, for example, this passage: “I love expository preaching and deeply admire those who do it well. But great preaching alone will not reach our world or magically transport unbelievers across the Great Chasm,” p.24. The word “alone,” I assume, means that Lewis understands the importance of preaching, and I am glad for that. But the tenor of the book is subtly to relegate preaching to second place behind social work. “Proclamation was more a matter of essence—in life and death—than it was an enunciation of words,” p.42. “Preaching is not the answer to today’s spiritual hunger,” p.47. “Don’t preach! Prove! Serve! Give! Love!” p.163.Take time to read Robert Lewis' book and tell me what you think.
Is The Church Relevant? Hmm, Let's See!
Recently reported by the Daily Herald: DuPage job losses break 50-year trend.(Business)
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 11/17/2005; Kukec, Anna Marie Among trends cited in the "The State of Working Illinois 2005" report are these: - Racial disparities. Minority groups made up 27.9 percent of the workforce in 2004, almost double the 15.7 percent in 1980. However, African Americans and Hispanics still have higher unemployment rates than whites and Asians. - Gender disparities. Women comprise less than a third of workers in well-paying industries, such as construction, manufacturing and transportation, but make up over three-quarter of the employees in lower paying fields such as education, health services, and leisure and hospitality.
- Poverty. In 2004, more than 12 percent of Illinoisans and nearly 20 percent of children under 18 years were below the poverty line. Nearly a quarter of Illinois workers earn a wage that puts them and their families below the poverty threshold, which is $19,311 for a family of four.
- Education gap. More than 70 percent of African Americans and 60 percent of Hispanics earn less than $50,000, compared to more than half of whites earning $75,000 or more. Low income and unemployment are more common among those with the least education. Hispanics are the least educated minority group, with 44 percent having less than a high school diploma.
- Unions. The average weekly earnings of union members in Illinois are nearly 20 percent higher than non-union workers. In 2005, unions comprised 17 percent of the Illinois labor force, a decline from 20.8 percent in 1990. - Health insurance, pensions. Per capita health care costs have increased 107 percent since 1990, while about 60 percent of Illinois workers had health insurance coverage in 2004. Also, less than half of workers have access to an employer-provided pension plan.(end of article)Some are prone to wonder, is there a response from churches of DuPage County? Many ask, "WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? WHAT IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE CHURCH?" Well, let's see!LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST (LOVE CHRISTIAN CLEARINGHOUSE) provides an answer everyday to many in need. Our answer comes from compassionate volunteers networking together resources and services that share God's LOVE to people with needs. Just this week several churches provided rent assistance to a single mother with three young children. Her efforts to maintain employment, keep her kids healthy and in school, manage home activities and keep gasoline in her car are overwhelming! LOVE came through with hope in the Name of Christ! The Church can provide a response!Through the network of services, volunteers, and resources families that are in need can have their needs met through the responce of the body of Christ.Can we do more? Hmm, let's see! Let me know what you can do and we will combine your gift of time, talent or resources with others. For more information on how to help: www.love-cc.org
What does love look like?
A third grader from Franklin Elementary School was once given a project. The teachers instructions were clear, "Draw a picture of God." This project would help develop the creative art of students. The little third grader began right away while others simple chatted with peers and wondered with courious thought. When the assignment was turned the pictures were put on display. Many drew pictures of flowers that represented God as a creator. Some drew images of create colors and abstract art representing God as unique. But one drawing depicted an obvious broken down car along the road. It pictured a family standing nearby while a man was seen working on a flat tire. "Who is the man changing the tire?" the teacher asked. "It is God!" came the reply. "Yea!" he added, "Just last week our car got a flat tire. Mommy was crying and I prayed, 'God, can you help us?' And he came and fixed the car for free!"
Clearly a good samaritan came to their rescue in their time of need. But the impression left on the young third grader was that God cared enough to lend a helping hand. Perhaps today you are God's worker for someone in need. Your actions clearly convey LOVE in terms everyone can understand.
Matthew 22:37 -- "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
What is one thing that you can do today that demonstrated love to people in need?
