Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Ministry?
The Washington Post recently carried a story about church ministries that helped people with debt problems. I am not at all sure how to react to it. On the one hand it talks about what sounds like a pretty good idea:
Point is, I think it is a great idea for the church to tackle the very practical issue in people's lives. But this same piece seems to take pot shots at the church:
Then finally, there is the fact that this article addresses only black churches. I have no idea what to make of that at all. The mortgage and debt crisis is not a race based issue.
I guess my point is - the MSM does not get church, in all its various forms, guises, and practices. They also seem incapable of writing a piece that is not somehow critical.
The other point I would make is this. Is the management of money, and specifically debt, a part of the ministry at your church? It probably ought to be.
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"We tell our members, don't buy dresses and shoes, take trips, all on credit," Jenkins said in an interview. "It's killing us."There is a style problem in the presentation, but in the end that is a matter of taste. This is where things get really weird:
In the Washington region, churches have recently partnered with the state and federal governments to host foreclosure prevention forums. Some have distributed brochures that suggest that people contact their bank to create a "workout" plan, find creative ways to save, and seek legal advice if they believe they have been a victim of predatory lending.As Christians I think we should honor the debts we incur. This means we should also enter into debt with a great deal of forethought and wisdom, but once we are there, we need to pay it back.
Point is, I think it is a great idea for the church to tackle the very practical issue in people's lives. But this same piece seems to take pot shots at the church:
On the one hand, Wolfe said, believers are told that the love of money is the root of all evil. Then there are those who preach a prosperity gospel, which promotes that God wants believers to have an abundant life with extraordinary financial blessings.Well, I can't argue with that much - the prosperity gospel is a pretty awful thing, but then there is this:
So far, some area churches say they remain fiscally strong despite the struggling economy. It's their members that leaders such as the Rev. Timothy R. Wood, pastor of the Calvary Gospel Church in Waldorf, worry about.Now, if that is not a potshot, I don't know what is. If anybody should be managing money well, it is the church.
Then finally, there is the fact that this article addresses only black churches. I have no idea what to make of that at all. The mortgage and debt crisis is not a race based issue.
I guess my point is - the MSM does not get church, in all its various forms, guises, and practices. They also seem incapable of writing a piece that is not somehow critical.
The other point I would make is this. Is the management of money, and specifically debt, a part of the ministry at your church? It probably ought to be.
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