The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Dear disciple of Christ,
Some readers have been waiting (with bated breath) for the outcome of the question of our church providing a place for 10 homeless people to sleep (safely). My apologies but this was a fairly challenging time at church with lots of aspects to consider and grow with and the limits of two pages affects my telling of the story. I’ll be concluding the “saga” today.
So, if you remember last week’s posting, the social ministry committee of the church voted to bring the issue to the council once again, led by them (and not me) and recommending it be “tried” for a three month period. The council voted unanimously in favor (a second time) and we gathered the congregation once again to consider the idea of our church providing a safe night’s lodging for 10 homeless each Saturday. If those with concerns were “right” (it was more than we could do), the program would end after those three months. If those who favored it were right, the program would continue at our church.
One thing I noticed in life (and even in the Church) is that “mob rule” and anger is hard to sustain very long. People can get worked up in a fever but sometimes time allows things to “cool down” and calmer heads to prevail after a while. That reflection on “patience” from last week had its impact. Instead of the pastor (me) leaving or grumbling or fights developing in the congregation, we gathered those interested in helping and began to provide care (even if not at our own church).
So when the community gathered to consider the issue again, speakers spoke from their experiences in serving with homeless. I remember our very short and stout children’s choir director speaking at the meeting. She described passionately how she and her family had been homeless after their dad died. She described how important it was for them to find caring people to support them. It wasn’t for long, but it was significant that they were not on the streets or in shelters.
Some others spoke of their personal experiences helping with the program at other churches. The volunteers signed up to assist with any needs in the middle of the night. The people came and stayed at church from 7pm to 7am. The only responsibility of the church was to provide a safe place, with cots provided by the Red Cross and hygiene items provided by various companies in that business. Volunteers talked with the people who came and heard some of the stories of ordinary people who were confronted most often by extenuating circumstances, who found themselves on the streets and out of energy and direction and breath. They were tired (imagine spending the day on the streets for days and weeks and months on end, trying to find a way out of their situation and enough food to survive). No one who assisted came away feeling the same about the people they saw on the streets.
Well, after more and more people involved in homeless care shared their stories, one person (who previously voted in opposition to the program), asked that the vote be taken. With the witness being made by more and more members, there was no discussion or concern raised about taking a “secret” ballot. People had revealed where their hearts “stood” on the matter. When the vote was taken, only a handful voted “no.” Most were either supportive or willing to “try it” for three months. As the supporters said, “It might not work. But if it does, it can help lots of people.” And so the program began and volunteers signed up and ten people without homes were given a night’s rest each week in Jackson Heights, Queens.
The program helped them, surely, but also helped us immensely. Our empty building (on Saturday nights) was filled with care and the smell of some great cooking. We were not “required” to provide a meal to our “guests” but we were “allowed” and some at church really wanted to. It was evident quickly, that although they got food in Manhattan before coming to us at 7pm, few skipped eating our meals (guess the hungry can’t have too much food). The most heartwarming meal came from a family that had staunchly been opposed to the program but, when it started, they provided meals once a month. As long as I was at the church, they were not “able” to volunteer over night, but they wanted to support the care.
So the seed that was sowed bountifully, brought a harvest of bounty to the sowers. The pastor who followed me, and had missed the “sowing,” was not able to see the need for the program or reap its benefits. As is not unusual, my departure and his arrival brought his attempt to discontinue whatever was connected to my ministry (I’ll talk about that in a future posting). So he did not support the program (you know about the bully pulpit – he did not mention or highlight the program), and even attempted to end it. Although the council and congregation went along with many changes (and deletions) by the new pastor, this was one they would not give up. Basically they told the pastor that he didn’t have to participate or come if he didn’t want to, but the hard fought and hard won program of care for the homeless was not just what those members did. It represented who they were.
So I’ve given away the answer to the question, what happened when the congregation voted a second time about the program. It was not approved unanimously, but it was approved overwhelming as it was reviewed at the end of the three month trial, and the blessings it provided to the homeless and all the volunteers was just amazing.
I hope you can find the ministries going on in your church that will have you be a blessing to others and that will bring a blessing to you. I was thankful for what God did in our church and through those members.
Peace in His Service,
Pastor Johnson