If you could have a ministry...

[PetLuv]

Look at that - I lurnt something.

 

[redblue22]

I help friends who come into my life, and they help me. And some of you know who you are. Maybe we shouldn't keep it secret anymore? But apparently people can even be ashamed of you on the internet as well as in person. Apparently it is just our little secret.

But I think it is great that some of you would like to take away the very programs I depend on because you want to help me out. And I so appreciate being starved between jobs based on a bible verse about not being willing to work. Some Christians so want a miniistry that makes them look good, but they are ready to take away the medicine and food of the poor because they are so very loving and holy. I love it when a pastor leave for more money and numbers but claims it is God's will.

And I'm sick of missionaries asking for money who look down on the very people they serve. (yes, I was a nonChristian who dealt with Moody Bible Institute missionaries . . . but we don't want to expose too many secrets there do we?) The last time I was asked for money was by the baptists. After listening to his lecture on giving, I talked to the Michigan state missions president in private and he said he refused to so much as pray for our local college outreach because he didn't have time. But I guess that was to be expected because lthe local pastor of Portage Berean Baptist Church agreed with him and said the same thing.

 

[Toro]

I would go in the direction and where the LORD decided was best for me, both for serving Him, others and what would make me happiest in the end. I wouldn't go in with my own ideals and beliefs of what I should focus on.

If there is ANYTHING I have learned in this life. Preparation is great, but planning is a joke. (Prep is bringing water knowing you will be jogging. Planning is focusing on the where you are going to jog. God surprises you with the where, no matter how much you "plan" all you can really do is prepare for the "jog" and let Him deal with the plan.)

 

[toastface_grillah]

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

You were right, it was Paul (most think anyway) AND it was won't. You both get A's!

Ah! You beat me to it before I could get to Bible Gateway. B- for intent?

But I think it is great that some of you would like to take away the very programs I depend on because you want to help me out. And I so appreciate being starved between jobs based on a bible verse about not being willing to work. Some Christians so want a miniistry that makes them look good, but they are ready to take away the medicine and food of the poor because they are so very loving and holy.

That's how tough love and up-by-your-bootstraps capitalism work, my friend!

On a more serious note, I'd want to have a ministry that helped connect out-of-work people with professional, white collar jobs. Notsomuch "here's how to redo your resume; and how can we pray for you," but something that would assess the skills that jobseekers have, help them to learn new ones, and connect them to companies with open positions.
Even here, in the financial/entertainment/fashion capital of the world, that kind of thing is very lacking.

 

[redblue22]

I feel so ashamed and guilty for not being independent. And Christians let me know I am scum for accepting the help they offer as a free undeserved gift. I never forget I don't deserve it,. When they don't know I am one of the people of their ministry they go on and on about how they are helping us. They are so very important and have such important work saving the world. It is just funny that we who are being saved by the Christians know what they really think of us. But we can't say anything because they might take it away if we talk.

 

[Dody B]

I am also already in the ministry, but if I had the finances, I would build a home for Un-wed mothers to be and rape victims and victims of incest. I would like to help families that have to deal with DHS taking their children unlawfully and lieing to keep them from them. Texarkana, Arkansas is the worse. Pray for these children. They are in the control of evil people. I know because they have my great grand children. All because my grand daughters electric was shut off 1 day! Get real! People are losing jobs homes and cars. 1 day. Better pray for me too.

 

[Dody B]

Red blue22 They have their reward! They are not acting like Jesus. No one should be made to feel bad when they need help. The way things are going in this world, they may be the next one to need help. Don't offend His little ones. Amen? Amen.

 

[jaapottery]

Redblue22, I am not ashamed of you. You are my friend and I love you. And I would never suggest ANYONE should be ashamed for needing help. We all need help from time to time, maybe not this kind, but of some kind. I only wish I could make things better. I worked in the worst part of Minneapolis for a few years and saw the pain of the people, even if they maybe didn't. They have so little hope. It hurts me to think of. When I used to work there I had to start listening to Christian radio all the time just to be able to get my work done. The whole atmosphere is heavy. I wish they could see their own worth, how God sees them... Oh the cycle of destruction so many are caught in.

I thank God I am so fortunate to have grown up in a loving, encouraging home and that I have a good job now. I just feel I should pay it forward somehow.

 

[HazelWings]

Here's my 2 cents:

I am a single mom who depends on some of the programs that were mentioned. I haven't been able to find work, but I am in the process of finishing my BA and then my Masters. My goal? Social work to help families who are in the situation I am in now. My life is my ministry, and while I don't plan on handing out Bibles to the people I meet I hope that the help and kindness I can offer other struggling families will shine back on Christ.

 

[Strider1002]

Assistance can be dangerous, Redblue, because if you start feeling comfortable, you may not try as hard to get another job. Not saying that's likely with you, because I don't know you.

 

[MacFall]

For a while, I've wanted to go to Norway or a scandinavian country and work with those caught up in the black metal or death metal scene. Just settle in and build relationships with people and share Jesus.

I think this is an awesome idea.

 

[MacFall]

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

You were right, it was Paul (most think anyway) AND it was won't. You both get A's!

Great ideas everyone! Now how do we live these out?

This touches on my idea for a ministry: give unemployed people, especially the disabled, work to do. Doesn't have to be a lot; just an opportunity to provide service to others. Those who want help should be willing to help others.

The reason why this is even an issue is that you would be breaking all kinds of laws in order to do it effectively. But we ought to obey God rather than man, right?

 

[MacFall]

Assistance can be dangerous, Redblue, because if you start feeling comfortable, you may not try as hard to get another job. Not saying that's likely with you, because I don't know you.

I think the CLDS does it right. Their charity is more like mutual aid than welfare. You want help, you help others. The only people who don't work are those who can't.

I think it's not appealing to a lot of American Christians, especially "conservative" ones, because there's too much sharing involved; there's no profit in it. It looks more like socialism than capitalism. To which I would reply, so what if it is? My only contention with socialism is that it is usually forced. As long as it's voluntary, it's fine with me.

And we really can't talk about getting rid of social programs until we have an alternative. Even if the social programs do more harm than good in the long run (which I believe they do), we can't tell people to quit them without offering them somewhere else to go. And right now, the Church is failing miserably at that. I go to a very small church, and we run a food bank. I've seen what happens when each household brings in one bag of food per week as donations. It's really amazing how much that helps—like watching loaves and fishes multiply.

So what would happen if every Christian household did that every week? I don't believe for a second that things are so tight that most people couldn't handle that. And for those that can't, why not do what the early Church did, where the wealthy opened their households to the poor in their own local bodies?

I think the answer to that last question is that most Christians consider anything that smacks of a "social gospel" to be a "liberal" idea. Caring for the needy is either "works theology" or else too politically liberal. In fact I've heard a locally-based, but nationally syndicated morning talk show host say just that: that people who work in soup kitchens and local food banks and community organizations are all basically hippie commie scum. And his professing Christian co-host agreed with him.

I don't see getting rid of social programs as a goal. I see it as an effect of the Church making charity an essential part of its work.

 

[jaapottery]

I think the CLDS does it right. Their charity is more like mutual aid than welfare. You want help, you help others. The only people who don't work are those who can't.

I think it's not appealing to a lot of American Christians, especially "conservative" ones, because there's too much sharing involved; there's no profit in it. It looks more like socialism than capitalism. To which I would reply, so what if it is? My only contention with socialism is that it is usually forced. As long as it's voluntary, it's fine with me.

And we really can't talk about getting rid of social programs until we have an alternative. Even if the social programs do more harm than good in the long run (which I believe they do), we can't tell people to quit them without offering them somewhere else to go. And right now, the Church is failing miserably at that. I go to a very small church, and we run a food bank. I've seen what happens when each household brings in one bag of food per week as donations. It's really amazing how much that helps—like watching loaves and fishes multiply.

So what would happen if every Christian household did that every week? I don't believe for a second that things are so tight that most people couldn't handle that. And for those that can't, why not do what the early Church did, where the wealthy opened their households to the poor in their own local bodies?

I think the answer to that last question is that most Christians consider anything that smacks of a "social gospel" to be a "liberal" idea. Caring for the needy is either "works theology" or else too politically liberal. In fact I've heard a locally-based, but nationally syndicated morning talk show host say just that: that people who work in soup kitchens and local food banks and community organizations are all basically hippie commie scum. And his professing Christian co-host agreed with him.

I don't see getting rid of social programs as a goal. I see it as an effect of the Church making charity an essential part of its work.

You stated this beautifully. I grew up upper-middle class, but over about 20 years of living with my folks I counted 12 people who lived with us. These are ALL non-family members. Friends of the family who needed help for a few months. I was blessed by a mother who cares so much for others and a father who would go along with it. This is so different from what others experienced in their childhood, but it is a good thing. I would have no qualms about helping a friend in need in this way if I could. I almost invited a women from my church into my home, but the county was able to find her an apartment and she is doing well there.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

You were right, it was Paul (most think anyway) AND it was won't. You both get A's!

Great ideas everyone! Now how do we live these out?

At the moment, I can't do anything about helping orphans or impoverished kids, much less adopting one. Sure, I can donate, but it's not the same as going wherever I'm needed to help, care, and love them. And sometimes, you just don't know where your money is going, so you have to do thorough research. My career path doesn't go that direction, but you never know what will happen in the future.


All that I can do right now is take care of the babies, toddlers, and grade school kids at church when their parents are attending the services as a Sunday school teacher. That's my situation.

Also, by volunteering to help the needy children and alike, I can learn a few more things about being level with kids.

 

[Rhye]

What is on your heart?

Children.

I have been serving children and their families since i was 15 years old and in the last 8 years more so then ever. And I think it will continue to do it for the rest of my life. For a long time I did not listen to the feeling in my heart that said I need to go to this path and I was miserable. Now, when I give to children and when I educate, understand, and serve their families I feel alive.

My dream is to go to Armenia or Argentina to teach.

 

[Amber.ly]

I would want a ministry that creates safe houses for victims of prostitution to stay at for a few weeks before being given the chance to choose to start over somewhere else within a network of Christians/churches who will provide them with the resources to make a new life. Along with that would be working with local governments to make a way for underage victims to be able to leave the area/country and stay with host families around the world who are trained in how to counsel, minister and offer a new way of life to the victims.

 

[EazyMack]

[blind post]

We [Christians] are walking ministries. We already have ministries. It's the people in our lives, and the people we come across.

But if we're talking larger-scale type ministries, I might be a pastor or a counselor, or both. I like talking with people, and when possible, offering guidance in their walk with God.

 

[redblue22]

jaa, thank you.

on helping people. I live down the street from a mental hospital that threw pretty much all the patients out on the street and refused to give them medical assistance anymore. The state and local government, and those who loved their money that pushed for this, said that we were harming the mentally ill by helping them. The mentally ill had become lazy and dependent.

I might not have much power in this world. So, I think of Christian "friends" who start talking about helping me by taking away my assistance. They want to help me not be lazy and dependent. I want to help them out too. So when they call to talk, want me there for them, need a ride, I just help out by hanging up the phone. I don't want them to become lazy or dependent on my help either.

It reminds me of Christian philosopher and author Timothy McGrew who said that he was against the government helping pay for public education. But he doesn't mind working at a public university and giving the occasional lecture to Intervarsity.

 

[jaapottery]

Being a person that the system did more harm than good for may have caused me to see things from a different perspective. I was a kind who ended up in special ed for 8 or 9 years. Not because I am stupid, but because my brain learns differently. Special ed did nothing good for me but make me feel stupid. This was back in the day when tutoring services didn't have adds on tv every few mins and my folks didn't know how to help me. If you know me at all, you know all I want to do is spread the love. That is something our world is in short supply of.

RB