A Fair Way to Share
When the steel mills closed in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1980, the economic problems had only begun. The ripple effects of the recession pushed area unemployment over 20 percent by 1982.
Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church wasn't exempt; 12 percent of its household heads were out of work.
"We wondered how to help our people who'd lost their jobs," says Pastor Robert Ralston. "Traditionally, any dire financial needs are met by a Deacon's Fund, but that requires people to apply, to come asking for financial help. This situation seemed to call for something else."
Their solution? A special offering on the last Sunday morning of each month was divided equally among all the families where the head of house was unemployed.
"This eliminated the indignity of applying to the Deacon's Fund and any possible ill will about the amount any one individual might receive," says Ralston.
"The beauty of the idea was its simplicity and effectiveness. If you were out of work, a member of the church, and the head of a household, you were going to receive a check within a week of the offering."
Month after month, offerings of $500 to $800 were given by the 200 attenders to be divided among up to a dozen families.
"Now almost everyone is working again, thank the Lord," says Ralston. "But we're keeping this idea on file for future needs. Many people were blessed to give and blessed to receive."
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,358 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
