The Profit-ess

Kim has a point. I agree with you, Rod, if what you’re saying is that all of these so-called “pastors” should get a day job, and we should shut down all the fancy buildings funded by donations from working people. If people want to get together and pray, they can do so very conveniently in each other’s houses, or rent a gymnasium or something. Then if they want to take up a collection, they can use the money to help widows and orphans, or pay each other’s medical bills, or something. It won’t be wasted on large edifices, vestments, and salaries.

People sometimes ask me why I don't show up at church anymore. Despite the fact we have several fundamental differences in theology (They are Southern Baptist, which means they about the wrongest possible church for me.), the actual reason I don't go there, or find another church, is that they built a new million dollar building.

There is a specific route I can drive, starting near the center of town and going to my grandmother's house about a mile away, that I pass a Episcopalian church, a Catholic church, that Baptist church, a Church of God, a spin-off of a mega-church youth place, a non-Southern Baptist Church, and church that I have no idea denomination of, but I think is also an unaffiliated Baptist church. Seven churches.

Of course, that route is an crazy abnormality, the rest of town isn't anything like it, but it got me thinking one day, that and the fancy new church.

On that trip, I also pass the food pantry. The only food pantry in town, operated by the Catholics. If you doubled the size, it would be maybe the size of the smallest church on that trip.

You know how many homeless shelters we have? How many meals-on-wheels programs we have for people under 60? (60-and-over programs are supported by the government.)

Churches stopped helping people a long time ago. Like 1800 years ago. People didn't notice in Rome and Christendom, because churches managed to make themselves, basically, a second government, with their own taxes and running social services.

But the second they got removed from that, the second they lost their official position and stopped being able to 'tax' people, the true colors came out. The 'help windows and orphans' from the first few centuries was completely gone. The Catholics have held on to this better than anyone, but I have to question if that has anything to do with the 'official' position they continue to hold in many countries.

So...what keeps *you* from starting a homeless shelter or a meals-on-wheels program?

You do not need as lot of money or a lot of skill to start doing something right where you are. That is not theory it is experience. Ours and that of other folks who have volunteered and helped create a practical way of showing God's love for the past 13 yrs. One of the projects we do costs absolutely nothing other can be done from a library computer even by someone who is homeless, others like food and shelter do have a cost but God provides. None of us are rich but we do know Jesus helped us and helps us help others. That may sound real simpleminded but that's OK He uses the simple to0 confound the wise. I want to share this not to say hey look what we did but please see what Jesus did and is doing and can do with you in ways that are a part of where you are right now. So please come t0 http://www.caringhandsministries.com and see what Jesus has allowed us to be part of His doing. Maybe you will see things you can do too. It started with a cardboard box in the entry of a church and a sign that said please donate canned food. We have also sat outside grocery stores with thye same kind of box. Can you find an empty box?