Years ago, I pastored a church near a popular beach resort along the east coast of Florida. Because of its visible location, we were often approached by individuals seeking some form of assistance (money, food or lodging). It was a continual challenge to know how to respond. One Sabbath, as soon as I concluded my sermon and stepped off the platform, I was approached by a man who claimed he was stranded and needed money to fix his carburetor. I remember thinking, "What can I do?"
Often, when trying to meet the needs of transients you experience a whole range of feelings including frustration, compassion, anger, empathy and suspicion. You may even find yourself trying to avoid these people by not answering your phone or hiding in the church office immediately following Sabbath services. You wonder what Jesus would do.
A few years later, while working as an associate pastor in Colorado, I discovered that it pays to have a pro active strategy for meeting the requests of transients. Such a course will take some forethought and planning, but it will help to make this part of ministry less stressful.
Do your homework
The worst time to look for an appropriate response to a request for help is when the needy ones are knocking on your door or have you on the phone. If you’re like me, you’re probably not in the best frame of mind to properly respond. Here are some simple guidelines that I’ve gleaned from several places:
1. Select at lest one deacon and/or deaconess who will be readily available to interview each request for help. If you’re in a larger church it will be advantageous to designate a person or group of people within your Community Service organization to handle these concerns. Seek out those in your congregation who have strong people skills.
2. Establish a procedure for processing requests.
3. Train all volunteers in your established methods and procedures.
4. Make a list of all local community resources. This provides a great opportunity for you to interface with area churches and service organizations.
5. Be very careful about giving out cash. If you choose too, don’t expect it to be given back in any form.
6. Establish a relationship with a local restaurant that will accept your signed business card as authorization to provide a meal for those needing food. The restaurant can bill you later.
7. Don’t be suspicious of everyone. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us, and part of the gospel commission calls for our sympathetic response to those who have physical needs.
8. Pray for those seeking help. This may be an opportunity for them to grow spiritually.
Rich DuBose, at the time this article was written, was Director of Church Support Services for the Pacific Union Conference and a producer of Christian web content.
