Setting Up A Benevolence Fund - Christian and non-Christian Help For The Needy
Recently here at the ULC there was a blog that I participated in, and there were several opinions within the blog's comments on what constitutes "helping the needy" and what does not. What should the Church or any Christian or non-Christian organization give, how much should we give, when to give, how to disperse funding, etc? There were several opinions on this and the argument at times became quite heated.
Several members read this blog and all of the comments that were added to the blog, and I have been asked the question by several, "How do you set up and manage a "Benevolence Fund Program?" These individuals read where our church has such a program and other programs that fall under the catagory of "BENEVOLENCE," or help to those inside and outside the church family.
This may take a bit, as I have thought this through over the past several days and realized just how massive our very own Benevolence Fund has become. Not just in the ways of writing a check, but the various programs we have instituted in order to be able to help those in need. Now, (in my best Richard Nixon voice), let me make one thing perfectly clear...Benevolence has many faces and there are many ways to help, other than just writing a check to the person(s), family(ies) in need.
There are so many ways to actually help people without "just writing a check." Also, a Benevolence Fund can be instituted by any Church or organization, where it be Christian or non-Christian. But as our very own organization is Christian, I will direct this in the ways in which we conduct it. But regardless of your ULC or non-ULC path, the basic ways of setting up funding for your organization is the same. You may call it by any name you wish and choose. Giving and helping is a universal thing, and not just associated with Christianity.
It is a well known fact, that there are churches in almost every community that help the needy. These benevolence ministries are often called “Alms” ministries because they are giving alms to the poor. You are more likely to see this kind of community benevolence ministry than to see one that meets the needs of people in the congregation.
An incorrect statement that was mentioned in the blog comments in which I participated, one person made the comment that, "we probably only give to those within our congregation and faith, instead of outside help, and another made, "only if they are willing to join our church." If you look at not only our benevolence fund but that of other Churches it is reported, I found that 95% overall of the help goes to those outside the doors of the Church family. Our records indicated 97% of all benevolence funds went outside our family congregation. In any case most Churches do what they can with what they have to work with. It may not be what an individual wants, but our organization decided it is more important to focus on the NEEDS rather than the Wants of an individual(s) or family(ies).
I reviewed our own funding programs and spoke to pastors of other organizations and it is a known fact in most communities the church mainly serves those outside their own congregations in the United States. I spoke to one pastor of another faith, who only has a small congregation and the one Church and he did state they do not help outside of their own congregation. Frankly, I feel this isolation is not doing the work of Christ, but again, as I stated, "I FEEL," so that is MHO.
Those of us who dispense benevolence funds have found that it is best not to give cash to anyone—member or stranger. Instead, pay a bill, pay for a service, take someone shopping for food, or give a voucher for clothing. As accountability with people grows, you can determine whether you can entrust them with cash. Not to mention if you have a food pantry in your funding ministry and accept Govt. help, they do require you to maintain records and gather information in order for the pantry to exist. This is not something we in the church like, but those are the rules in which we have to play by.
That is why our Govt. sponsored food pantry does NOT bare the churches name on it and the people that visit the pantry pick up their items monthly in the basement of the church. The pantry is ran by church members as a form of helping those in need, but any food that we have above ground floor of the church and give out, and the gift is from the church, either the church has purchased the food items, or they were donated by the congregation and other individuals and none of those canned goods or meats and vegatables were donated by the state, local or Federal Govt.
So those items we are able to give whenever the need arises and not only on the days the Govt allows us to do so. In essence they are two separate programs. One Govt sponsored and one Church sponsored. Make sure you have the programs set up separately if you are going to get involved in these type ministries. If you are caught handing out canned goods that contain USDA Govt type labels that are attached to your churches personal food pantry, and not the Govt sponsored food pantry, your organization can get into a great deal of trouble. So is life in dealing with the Govt. But both types of pantries are necessary and can mean the difference in a family eating and not eating.
If you get involved in a Govt. sponsored program, make sure you understand all of the rules and laws you must follow and keep the paperwork perfect at all times. The same goes with your personal Church style food pantry, make sure you keep good records, in case you are checked. Sometimes the Govt. will ask to check your canned good items to make sure you are not handing out USDA Govt canned good items. So regardless, make sure you keep good records. It is not something anyone likes, but it is a must in this day and age of checks and balances and record keeping.
In a Govt. sponsored situation, (in our area), only those that have vouchers from the Dept. of Welfare may pick up food once a month in the Govt. sponsored program. In a Church or other type organization where the food items are donated by the Church, the congregation, and other benefactors, you may give these food items to anyone you may wish that asks for help or may not ask, but you may hear of a situation and just want to take a family a box of groceries.
As I stated, benevolence is more than giving money to the poor. The right way to help is to become involved in the person's life. Accountability takes place through relationship. I have found in my experiences, this is a necessity.
Now if you are not totally upset over the fact that the Govt. has it's hands in the Church and other organizations ability to give help, I would like to speak on the subect of "internal vs. external benevolence." Realize that although the Church wishes to help people, the Church has to have certain things such as a local license in most areas and of course if you are operating under a 501c3. If you do not allow the Govt. to make these checks of your personal organization's pantry or fill out certain paperwork for other monetary funding, that can and cannot hinder a person on welfare, then you take the risk of losing your organization. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!
So you have decided to do what is required by local county, state and Federal laws and you wish to start your fund, let's move on to as I stated, internal benevolence vs. external benevolence.
The church may be great in meeting the needs of people in the community, but how easy is it for members to go to their own churches for help? Often, when the help is available, it is given to meet needs one time, then no more. We believe in our Church that it is vital to meet the needs within the church before reaching out to others, and many of these needs will be ongoing. This may mean committing to pay a single mom's heating bill during the winter or providing a scholarship for her child to attend day care while she is working.
There should be a specific fund to help congregational members. Because the Bible talks about a special third tithe to care for widows and orphans, some churches take up a special widows and orphans offering the fifth Sunday of the month, about four times per year.
Benevolence funds should be available when any member has a need and should be dispensed through a committee. Each committee member should be able to dispense up to a certain amount without consulting others. Higher amounts should require discussion between two or three members. Church members should neither have to wait until the committee meets each month or week, nor fill out forms like people outside the church because you already know these people. A record should be kept of course, but in most cases you can forego waiting on the committee or board of directors of your organization to meet.
Most benevolence ministries are open to the public for short periods of time during regular church business hours. Some operate two days per week for three to four hours. Others operate daily for one or two hours. Our Church's Benevolence Program is open to the public Mon-Fri 9am - 11:30am. The schedule is dependent on the availability of a staff person to oversee the ministry and on availability of volunteers.
Because you may not know (and in most cases WILL NOT know), those who are coming to your church for help, it is important to provide some accountability. Forms are necessary, but this may be handled through an interview process. A second visit may include meeting with a budget counselor. The idea is not just to give funds to the needy, but to start that important relationship-building process.
Benevolence ministry provides a great opportunity for the church to reach out to those in need and make a real difference in their lives. Now our organization also has a program that is part of the Benevolence Fund, that teaches people how to "budget" their money and also programs on how to obtain a job and we actually help them look for one. A rule of thumb when speaking to people who come in asking for help, make sure you actually get a copy of the "shut off notice," or failure to pay notice. Your fund should help with the BASICS and major needs of life, food, rent, clothing, power/light bills, heating bills, water and sewage, and possibly emergency car payments.
The church is not there to fund someone's good time, gambling, alcohol and substance additions. This is why you NEVER EVER give them cash. There are more people that will be coming to get the help they NEED, and you cannot waste it on non-essential items such as cell phone bills, or cable/tv bills. I know some will disagree with that, but the church and most organizations are there to help people IN NEED!!!
IF a person is NOT willing to give basic information, go through budget counseling or not willing to allow your organization to help them find a job and work? Then that is a RED FLAG warning to you and you need to be careful as there are those that are professionals that go from Church to Church and make a living doing so. This fund is for REAL PEOPLE in REAL NEED!!!
For a moment I wish to speak to Christian Churches and Pastors. Every church seeking to serve the Lord should have caring programs established to help their own needy, the needy in their community, and the needy in the world.
The surpluses that the church must have in order to minister to the needy are in most cases available. Too often, Christians are consuming or wasting them. Every church needs a regular program of sharing the biblical principles of managing money (in the home) and practical courses on planning (budgeting, insurance, housing). Once God's people learn God's plan for their finances, the funds will be available to meet legitimate needs.
In a recent article I read, statistics prove that about 20 percent of the people tithe in the average evangelical church. In the churches we have surveyed in our local communities, in which a consistent program of teaching God's principles of finances has been established, the percentage is over 80 percent.
The average American family spends over $2,000 a year on interest payments alone. If they can just be shown how to become debt free, a church of 100 families would have an additional $200,000 a year available for other programs.
Every church should have a benevolence program to help those who have legitimate financial needs. However, a benevolence program should not be a "give-away" program. There are definite biblical guidelines for those we are going to help. Every member of any local church should be able to look to the fellowship they attend as an extension of God's provision. They should feel the freedom to share their financial needs as freely as they would physical or spiritual needs.
Too often a local church's benevolence program amounts to the pastor directing the secretary to write someone a check for food, gas, or rent. That is usually the worst thing to do. Without any controls or follow-up, giving more money is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Also this system doesn't help those who have long-term needs due to illness, layoff, age, or the like. Benevolence is not an event, it is a vital part of ministering within the body of believers and requires several coordinated ministries.
The Benevolence committee is primarily made up of laypeople who will meet and evaluate needs presented within the church from those members that may need help and also those outside the church. Often this requires emergency action by one or two members to evaluate needs that result from "drop-ins" at the church office (or parsonage). A well-coordinated committee will free the pastor from the pressures of some emotional appeals.
The most effective benevolence committees usually have members with varied spiritual temperaments. Now myself, I am usually an 'easy touch," so that is why I leave the program to be ran by those who are all three "tender hearted," "those that are more tough at looking at an appeal for help," and "those that are moderate down the middle." This balances out your committee and will give them a chance to discuss an issue. If there is a division in a case, then they should approach the Pastor of the Church to make the ruling decision on a case.
A Resource Ministry is needed to meet the needs of families, and resources must be accumulated in advance. Examples are food and clothing, but it should not stop there. The church should have contact with businesses that can provide part-time or temporary work. One of the most effective ways to test the spirit of people who can't find work is to help them find it.
Other resources include the availability of legal or accounting advice, medical and dental care, and a number of well-trained financial counselors who will work with these families. Accountability is an essential part of any good benevolence program.
A church benevolence program should not be a halfhearted effort. It should be established and conducted according to a standard of excellence that honors and glorifies God. Thus, a thorough church benevolence program should include financial counseling, helping people find work, and, if necessary, providing them with goods and services.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(1 Corinthians 10:31) (King James Version)
A church should help people in the congregation who are in need as well as people outside the congregation. Every member of any local church should be able to look to the fellowship they attend as an extension of God’s provision. They should feel free to share their financial needs as freely as they would their physical or spiritual needs.
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16 NIV).
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10 NIV).
To direct your program, as I stated you’ll need a Benevolence Committee. Its makeup should include a variety of spiritual gifts, including the gift of helps, the gift of mercy, and the gift of administration.
"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly" (Romans 12:6 NASB).
In addition, it helps to have a broad range of people serving in benevolence, including people of different ages, genders, and marital status. This diversity provides a balanced approach to administering benevolent funds and services.
Also, it’s important to remember that some people who need benevolent assistance may have needs for professional services that they can’t acquire because of their financial situation. It helps to locate doctors, lawyers, electricians, plumbers, and so forth who would be willing to donate services from time to time for a needy person. It is important to make limited referrals to these professionals rather than to broadcast their services. This will protect them from being overextended and will ensure their willingness to serve.
Some professionals may also take part in regular "fix-it" days, which are done seasonally, once per quarter. People with needs sign up and indicate the items they need repaired, and the ministry recruits professionals who are able to do the work. Workers should be sent in teams (perhaps a professional plus a volunteer). This means the work can be done quicker and there is no question about propriety for men working in the homes of single women.
Of course, people don’t have to be professionals to serve on a benevolence program’s staff. Volunteers without specialized skills can screen applicants or deliver food to shut-ins. They simply need to care enough about the needs of others to be willing to inconvenience themselves in order to help.
Once a Benevolence Committee is formed, what are some of its first tasks? One of the committee’s first jobs will be to develop guidelines for itself, including what kind of assistance will be provided, how much assistance will be provided, and how people will apply for assistance. These decisions should be made in prayer and in consultation with God’s Word.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).
Furthermore, it is very important that guidelines be established for coordinating the work of any smaller committees under the authority of the Benevolence Committee. For example, a benevolence ministry may have a Widows and Orphans Committee, an Unemployed People’s Committee, an Overseas Ministry Committee, or committees focused on aid to people in the congregation or aid to people outside the church.
Financial coaching is another area that needs to be dealt with. A church or organization’s financial ministry may be separate from its benevolence ministry, but it is important that both ministries within the same church or organization work together. In addition, the committee can work with men’s and women’s organizations and other church groups. It may also be responsible for coordinating these activities.
"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ" (1 Corinthains 12:12 NLT).
Another task for the Benevolence Committee is to determine if it will recommend government assistance programs for people who qualify for help from such programs.
How should the committee process requests for help? First, committee members need to keep appropriate boundaries in relationships with people in need. This can be difficult. To help committee members achieve the right balance, proper budget counseling and training should be taught first to the committee members and then trained as instructors. This program should provide insight on how to maintain perspective about responsibilities.
Second, committee members should not let their enthusiasm for helping others get ahead of the need to gather necessary information from applicants and ensure that applicants behave responsibly with the aid that they receive.
"Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes" (Proverbs 19:2 NLT).
Thus, everyone from outside a particular church or ministry who is seeking help should be required to go through a screening process. This screening may begin with completion of a questionnaire.
For needs within the congregation, individuals and families should be interviewed, but most of the needed information should be assessed through financial coaching. Any candidates for ongoing help should be required to participate in a financial study "family budgeting program." How your organization sets this up is up to the Pastor and Staff that will be setting up your Benevolence Fund.
How can my church’s Benevolence Committee spot con artists? When applicants are uncooperative, it may be due to the fact that they’re lying about their needs. Such people go from church to church and make a living on handouts, taking away from the already limited supply of help set aside for truly needy people.
Be sure to follow up on stories and check details. Applicants who are telling the truth will do what they can to help verify what they’ve told you.
Also, take time to think about the applicants’ requests for help. Are these requests believable? Are key facts missing? Have the applicants given a tremendous amount of detail—in order to convince you—that isn’t relative to the main point of their story?
Have they "forgotten" key information, given only partial answers to your questions, or tried to change the subject? Are they demanding immediate action so you won’t have time to consider their requests? Are they trying to make you feel guilty for doubting their honesty? Do they try to make you feel guilty about how Christ helped or other guilt trips, saying, "well if you don't help right away or do it the way I feel you should, then you and your Church are just hypocrites." Trust me on this one, as it will happen. These are usually con artists and you or your committee should just send them away. Also, if they drive up in a $65,000.00 vehicle...well I think you can figure that one out on your own. LOL
"Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel" (Proverbs 20:17 AMP).
Finally, use every possible alternative to giving money. If you decide to give money, settle on a firm amount and don’t allow them to change your mind. In our area the few churches that work together in these funds have agreed as to what each church can give, and if more is needed then send them to the church or churches you are working with in the community. For example: An individual comes in for help with shut off power. Their bill is $300.00. You should set a limit of $35.00, $50.00 but no more than $75.00 (depending on how large your fund is). Then send them to one of the other Churches you are in contact with and allow them to help with their limit and so on and so forth. If the bill is so high and it extends the amounts you have set within your individual budget, you can either A) send them to Community Action Crisis (in most areas are set up for this situation), or B) Allow your committee to make the decision to go over the limit. It is up to the Pastor and Committee. But NEVER pay the money out to the individual, always pay directly to the utility company. Accountabilty is essential and Biblical.
What kind of resources will my church need to start a benevolence program? The members of your Benevolence Committee will need the financial support of other believers to help meet the legitimate needs of others. They’ll also need the physical support of other believers to screen families, deliver food to them, and help them get started on the road back to being productive members of the church and community.
Following are some additional resources needed to operate a thorough benevolence program.
Job sources—Your committee will need to find sources for available jobs. One church met this challenge by establishing a job program. It was linked to the church building program, so that when people came in who were unemployed, they could help with the construction. Now our Church has a separate program and funding for this program. We have a few in each of our Churches that go into the Churches 2 -4 days a week, depending on the congregation and do nothing but work the phones, finding out which company may need additional staff and help in any given industry or business.
This brings up questions about tax reporting and liability. Churches should consider the extent of their liability if a worker is hurt on the job and whether these workers should be designated as employees or independent contractors.
Another way to put unemployed people to work is to find Christians within the church who have businesses requiring part-time help. Maintain a list of business people who will provide part-time or permanent jobs.
When helping people with job and career options, your staff should analyze four key areas: personality, skills, interests, and values. This helps people maximize their God-given talents and skills in life and work.
Surplus funds—Locate sources of surplus funds for temporary needs due to layoffs, illnesses, or disabilities. Often the needs are urgent but not long term.
Surplus goods—Some churches have programs to which believers donate food, clothes, and toys to be distributed to needy families who have gone through counseling. If a benevolence program has a food pantry, it may “glean” many products such as bread, produce, canned goods, or meats from area stores and retail wholesalers who will donate the items if the ministry picks them up as scheduled. Other ministries and churches buy bulk items, government surplus, or co-op foods to distribute.
Regarding clothing, much of the clothing that people donate is out-of-date or is too worn to use. Unneeded clothing and other items that a benevolence ministry doesn’t have room to store can be donated to second-hand stores in exchange for vouchers that needy applicants can redeem.
"One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed" (Proverbs 19:17 NASB).
I want my church to have a benevolence program. What can I do? A benevolence program originates with one person who says, “I believe God called me to do this.” Get the training you need to help counsel and organize, or if you have the training, next gather a group of people with the same concern who are willing to care for truly needy people.
There are enough people out there who care, if only one person will organize them. These individuals need to be trained in God’s way of handling money, and like you, some of them may also wish to be trained to do financial counseling.
Usually, when these committees get started they are overwhelmed with help. The churches they represent become known as the caring churches. At the same time, the word gets out that you shouldn’t seek help from these churches unless you have a legitimate need because they’ll put you through a screening process and require you to work.
In addition to getting training and organizing people, starting a benevolence program requires a commitment of time and money. Don’t ask others to do what you are not willing to do yourself. Approach your pastor and the leadership of your church with a plan that says, “This is what I would like to do.” Believe what Christ said in Matthew 25:34-40 about meeting the needs of others. Believe it to the extent that you act upon it and meet the needs of others—saved and unsaved—in your community and especially within your church.
A ministry such as this can be done by most faiths and paths that I am aware of. It is a matter of first caring, then organization, then actually putting the ministry into action.
I address this to my fellow Christians who are seeking financial freedom, you must be willing to use surplus funds that God has provided to help provide for the needs of others.
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). In so doing, not only can true financial freedom be attained but God's mandate for every Christian will be fulfilled.
No successful benevolence program will happen until God's people in the local church decide to get involved and make it happen. "Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all" (2 Corinthians 9:13).
1 Corinthians 10:31 (King James Version)
To those that asked about how to set up a fund, I hope this helps. If you have anymore specific questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section of this blog.
