Five Common Questions for Evaluating Need

Five Common Questions for Evaluating Need:                                                   

(Published by New City Fellowship Presbyterian Church, www.newcityfellowship.com.  Used by permission.)

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Summary:

Five Common Questions is an attempt to ask and answer the most pressing issues faced by an urban congregation in their attempt to be beneficent to those in their community.  Questions asked are:

1. Shouldn’t the Church only help needy Christians?

2. How poor must a person be before the Church helps them?

3. Should we give aid to people who brought their poverty on themselves?

4. Should we help strangers and travelers?

5. Should we only aid those who ask for help, or should we offer it?

The answers provided by the Diaconate of New City are informed primarily by central New Testament texts and are intended to provide the congregation with a focused view of assisting those in need.  Laid out in a succinct, direct manner, this resource provides a helpful means of assessing need and seeking to address it accordingly.

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?

Having clear guidelines for providing financial assistance is a necessity for faith-based organizations, especially those located in distressed communities. In seeking to balance the compulsion to give generously and the need to wisely use resources, New City Fellowship has put forward a helpful model for evaluating and responding to need.  Pastors, deacons, and nonprofit ministry leader will find this a valuable aid.