In that line of thought

In that line of thought

Bring all the tithes and offering to my house, the scriptural command.

Two awesome times when the church acted as the government, during the Moses times; and, more recently during the times of Acts. 

The church was the government during the times of Moses; so one could say, I pay my taxes, you feed the poor and make equitable distribution of resources.  Why not?  The church had the resources.  The church was the government. 

Then you had and continue to have the ERA’s of bondage.  Now church members say, I pay my taxes, not just to the church but to the government too, so, let my taxes be my representation of my good works. 

A problem herein lies is the government we pay our taxes to here in the US, is the same government responsible for the polarities of wealth.  It is the same government with a judicial system that causes a disproportionate amount of incarceration among minorities.  It is the same government that does not care for the disabled and the veterans.  It is the same government that destroys families through enabling them to “live off the system” so to speak.  It is the same government that causes then ending of marriages, and, it is of more interesting note that the 50% divorce rate in US society seems equal to the divorce rate among church members. 

I worked for Child Placement Services in multiple counties; and I worked for families in multiple cities.  I have seen the corruption and negligence on the government level.  Not equal thus far in the churches.

Recently, I had an urgent matter that needed to be addressed.  It was some suicide intervention services.  So, I reached out to a friend, a pastor of a church for resources and support.  I called the church numbers and send texts to that friend.  I was unable to reach that person. 

My mind started to think about this.  The time in New York wherein the church I attended had a prayer line.  The time in New York where the pastor was readily available for emergencies.  I started to think about those churches that have on-call ministers and deacons for emergencies.  I started to think about Reverend Acey Pettyway and the emergency responses to scenarios.  I started to think about the emergency housing the church provided.  I started to reflect.  

The same is true when I thought about some children of a family whom attended a group at a local church.  So, what happens when you have an emergency.  What happens when you have a child in danger?  Is calling CPS always THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

Typically, here in the US, we rely on the government.  A child in danger, you call child protective services.  A battering spouse, you call law enforcement.  Very rarely do church members nowadays respond to emergencies.  “We pay out taxes” they say.  You need a job, go to the unemployment office.  Seldom do we hear the personal responses and testimony.  I responded to an emergency.  I helped.  The church like all things is complacent. 

We do not send people, deacons, counselors, brothers and sisters to respond to emergencies most times.  Someone using too much alcohol, God forbid if we should sponsor them or take them to an AA or NA meeting.  Less still is having recovering and care groups at church.  Peer care group for teens.  Grief Care, Divorce Care, and so forth.  Van ministries to get people to church.  Instead going out to the byways to help, we refer them to a local agency.  Could there be a time wherein the church sponsors member going out to provide simple services like helping people complete job applications, walking them through community based services, and even less, providing the support services? 

If I am not mistaken, the illiteracy rate is still about 30% in the US.  So, do people need help; yes.  Is the church willing to help?  Hum?

The reason I say this is the past few weeks I have been responding to emergencies.  That includes applying for emergency services.  That includes being a paraclete. 

Why make a referral to an employment agencies?  Why not have an employment bulletin board in all churches? You know racism exists in hiring; if you are a hiring authoritative person and attend church, why not take personal steps, in a Godly manner to equalize the disparity.  Equalize things beginning at the church.

Why a referral to a national suicide prevention line?  Why not on-call deacons and ministers whom can pray and counsel folk?  Is not prayer and guidance with God better?

Faith based services are my first line of referrals.  I believe God and in the power of prayer. 

I think we all need, as church bodies, not to say bring the tithes and offerings, and then refer people almost entirely to community based services, secular in nature.  Joint prayer lines, joint suicide lines, joint housing and employment resources, from the church.  Emergency services, on-call ministers, deacons, missionaries, brothers, and sisters [not just the Red Cross]. 

I am a democrat or republican first, then a Christian seems to be the main theme of churches. 

I have yet to see a disabled minister in North Carolina. Someone in a wheelchair in the podium.   Why?  Hum?  I like the “Prophets”  the churches have as guests.  Gator shoes. Armani Suits, Rolex, and never one in a wheelchair with sweatpants and a shirt.  Reminds me of King David times. 

Can we love one another?  Can we do the work to earn the “tithes and offerings’?  When we all get to heaven, what a day of referrals it will be.  Let us not send each other to “hell” because these visions are unheard of.  You do not understand Reinaldo, those are Pentecostals, we are Baptist, and those others are Apostolic.  Hum?  Is it better to pay for services or have free church services?  Stewardship over God’s money?

This post is to a friend whom I reached out to, and, some confusion ensued.  Never intentional but the purpose is always to serve and provide for God’s people.  God Bless.

No ill will or animosity