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Diaconal Policies for New City Fellowship (Published by New City Fellowship Presbyterian Church, www.newcityfellowship.com. Used by permission.) Download Now Summary: This document effectively lays out the philosophy of mercy ministry for New City Fellowship, an urban congregation in Chattanooga, TN with a long history of serving its low-income neighborhood. Often quoting the New Testament, Diaconal Policies for New City provides a model for how churches can structure mercy ministry programs that both serve the community and steward the resources of the congregation in an organized fashion. The document includes 10 principles for giving assistance and helpful procedural steps for church leaders. Why does FASTEN recommend this resource? Individuals expressing financial needs and requesting assistance often approach congregations. Church leaders want to respond in loving and wise ways, ways that are faithful to Scripture, truly beneficent to supplicants, and responsible from a stewardship perspective. New City Fellowship has learned many lessons over the years in its implementation of financial benevolence and its leaders have trained deacons at numerous congregations around the country. This short document captures the essence of the “giving guidelines” proven effective by New City. Congregational leaders can employ them as is or adapt them to their own church’s specific context. | New City's Mercy Ministry Whom Do We Help, and How Do We Help Them?
New City Deaconate Philosophy of Mercy Ministry We believe that "The local church is God's agent for change in society." The Scriptures teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to be good Samaritans to those who are in need. The Scriptures teach us to do justice and to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to love mercy, to especially help widows and orphans and aliens. We start with our own families and we try to be good stewards of what we personally and then corporately have. We reach out to share and as we move forward with the Gospel, we encounter people beyond our own family and community who need help. We help them because God wants us to. We show love because that is the only way love is known to exist.
What are the Deacons' Priorities for Assistance?
"Do good to all men, especially to the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10) This shows us a prioritization of helping - especially to those in the household of faith. In order to use wise stewardship in dispensing help the following priorities have been established.
- Church members who are in regular attendance.
- Church members generally.
- Regular attenders.
- Families of church members, when brought by family members.
- People involved in or associated with ministries of our church, e.g. Tutoring, Day Camp, HOPE, Community Ministry, etc.
- People in our neighborhood and geographic proximity to the church.
- Neighbors of and referrals brought by church members.
- Sister churches, locally requested through the Presbytery or Diaconal Bank.
- Referrals brought from other ministries supported by our church.
- Referrals from other churches.
- Referrals from Christian, government or social service agencies.
- Call-ins or walk-ins, with preference given to the poorest and neediest people within our geographic area depending on funds availability.
What needs do we meet?
The deacons at New City work behind the scenes in response to emergency needs in the congregation and community for food, housing, utilities, transportation, medicine, and other needs as they occur. Deacons and deaconesses are always available to members of the congregation when problems arise.
What needs can you as a member of New City meet?
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and let us encourage one another." (Hebrews 10:24-25) Start where you are. Think about the needs around you. Ask what you can do as an individual. Talk about it in your small group. Look around the church and your neighborhood. Listen to others. If you know someone in need, call a deacon or deaconess for direction and advice. If you can meet their need, do so. Don't simply tell a friend or stranger to call the church before you talk to someone. We are there as a resource for you to help meet people's needs, but we can't always help everyone who calls.
What structures does New City Fellowship have to meet people's needs? - A Structure for Spiritual Growth through weekly worship, small groups, and various ministry and service opportunities
- A Structure for "Charity" through our Deacons and the Mercy Committee of our Presbytery.
- A Structure for Development through Hope for Chattanooga, B.A.S.I.C.S., etc
What You Can Do
"You have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works" - Ephesians 2:10 "Trust in the Lord and do good". - Psalm 37:3 "Trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:6 "Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." - Isaiah 58:12-Gene Johnson, Diaconal Coordinator
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