Loving Your Neighbor Reimbursements
This morning's paper contained an article that said that FEMA is mulling over the possibility of re-imbursing churches for their care of the victims from Hurricane Katrina. The article said that some churches are already tallying up the bills for electricity and worn carpet.
What bothers me about this is not the separation of church and state issues but that any church would consider being reimbursed by the government for simply doing what it is that people who follow Jesus are supposed to do -- love one's neighbor. It would seem to me that the mission of the church is to do exactly this -- take in those who have lost their homes and loved ones, the stranger, the widow, the slave, and the child without regard for the cost of the electrical bill or the strain on the carpeting. This is a place for the community of faith the rise up and demonstrate the lavish and costly generosity of the kingdom of God. And if a church in one community is put in severe financial straits because of these actions -- then that's where other churches, communities of faith, in their town should come to their aid -- sharing resources with them.
If we want to raise children of extravagant generosity and hesed (that loving kindness of God that always does what is right) then our communities of faith need to be corporate examples of faith to them. Not places that worry about a damaged carpet.
What bothers me about this is not the separation of church and state issues but that any church would consider being reimbursed by the government for simply doing what it is that people who follow Jesus are supposed to do -- love one's neighbor. It would seem to me that the mission of the church is to do exactly this -- take in those who have lost their homes and loved ones, the stranger, the widow, the slave, and the child without regard for the cost of the electrical bill or the strain on the carpeting. This is a place for the community of faith the rise up and demonstrate the lavish and costly generosity of the kingdom of God. And if a church in one community is put in severe financial straits because of these actions -- then that's where other churches, communities of faith, in their town should come to their aid -- sharing resources with them.
If we want to raise children of extravagant generosity and hesed (that loving kindness of God that always does what is right) then our communities of faith need to be corporate examples of faith to them. Not places that worry about a damaged carpet.
posted by Ivy on Tuesday, September 27, 2005
4 Comments:
I totally agree with you - I was astounded to hear that churches were receiving reimbursement! Kind of defeats the message! DLS
I think you are right on, Ivy. I mean it is a nice gesture for our government to consider helping those who are helping others, but the church should be able to look to their own people to take care of those costs of "loving our neighbors."
Although...after writing that, a thought came to me. Just how much extra money do those congregants have to be able to help with those added costs and pressures that Katrina and Rita have brought us? So many congregants were displaced, out of work, and out of money. It is possible that they will not have the extra money to cover those necessary expenses that the church is currently incurring and therefore help from the government could be much needed.
Ivy,
I have stumbled upon your blog through a series of links on a Children's Ministry web site. I am an assistant CM director at my church, and actually just bought your book "Postmodern Children's Ministry" a few days ago! Thank you, by the way, for the insights I have read in it so far! I wanted to comment on this business about reimbursements for loving your neighbor...Overall I find it ridiculous because, like you said, its what the people of God are called to do in the first place! Providing help to those in need is a very basic form of love that we can show others. In this area there are many displaced and needy people and families, and for the Church (big-C) to reach out to those in need is just how we need to be Christ's hands at this time. I hope if these churches recuperate their money (or carpet?...hmmm) they will turn around and again use it for loving their neighbors.
-Krysten Case
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