Cookman United Methodist Church: Holistic Ministry di Program yang dibiayai oleh Pemerintah

Cookman United Methodist Church: Holistic Ministry di Program yang dibiayai oleh Pemerintah

Sesudah mengetahui tentang Charitable Choice, Rev Donna Jones memutuskan membangun kementerian Kristen secara gamblang bagi penerima kesejahteraan, yang akan menanggapi bukan hanya kesiapan pekerjaan tetapi "spiritual mengeluarkan menara utama itu orang dari penuh empowerment." Negara Bagian Pennsylvania mengejutkan gereja kota dalamnya yang sangat kecil, Cookman United Methodist Church, dengan menghadiahkannya $150.000 kesejahteraan-ke-bekerja kontrak bagi Kementerian Perjalanan transisi (TJM).

TJM handbook menyatakan kepada peserta, Kami ingin anda disembuhkan di Jiwa, pikiran dan badan anda. Kami ingin anda self yakin dan self meyakinkan. Kami ingin anda secara total disiapkan untuk, dan dapat mengambil bagian di dunia kerja. Kami tahu dengan pertolongan Tuhan dan kebulatan tekad anda, anda akan berhasil. Untuk mencapai cita-cita ini, mahasiswa disediakan baik ketrampilan pekerjaan dan sumber penghasilan rohani. Mahasiswa mempelajari ketrampilan komputer, belajar untuk lulus tes GED mereka, dan dibandingkan dengan kesempatan pekerjaan. Lemari dinding sandang pangan gereja bisa dijumpai untuk memenuhi kebutuhan segera. Dapat atas topik seperti itu digolongkan sebagai ketrampilan hidup, mengatur, dan self-penghargaan memperkembangkan kesiapan keyakinan dan kerja, dan alamat rintangan emosional untuk maju.

The program also includes several explicitly religious elements: weekly worship services, group and individual prayer, and a spiritual development class ("Sisters of Faith") which explains the gospel and invites students to make a faith commitment. It is only the inner strength that comes from faith, Rev. Jones explains, "that is going to sustain them when the kid is sick, the boss is calling, they have to work overtime, and they have to take the third shift." As required by the state, the spiritual components of the program are privately funded and optional-students may choose a non-religious educational activity instead. Students entering TJM sign waivers stating that they are aware of its Christ-centered nature and of their right to opt out of religious activities.

TJM also addresses spiritual and emotional needs in an informal, relational way. The handbook assures students: "If you have any special needs or problems and you need prayer, . . . If you need someone to talk to or you just need a hug, we are here and we want to help you." Students note that TJM feels different than other programs where staff have demoralizing, condescending attitudes. At TJM, the availability and caring of staff, almost all of whom are Christians, are a key reason for students' openness to the religious message.

TJM seeks to build up the women as whole persons, so that they are better equipped to overcome the multidimensional challenges they face. "It's a joy to see people living life to its fullest," testifies Rev. Jones. "It's a joy to see people open up and become complete." Secular agencies can effectively provide goods and services to meet people's needs, she acknowledges. People who do not know the Lord can become success stories of rehabilitation or financial independence. But when God takes hold of someone's life, a new seed of shalom is planted. Rev. Jones explains, "Someone who's been impacted by holistic ministry is able to go back and be a righteous citizen of our country."

Shawna (not her real name) came to TJM with ten children, a eighteen-year history of substance abuse, and a fourth grade education. Her life was in turmoil, and the five-year limit on her welfare clock was ticking. The program's therapist helped her set goals and develop an action plan, but Shawna was simply unable to cope. She became suicidal. The therapist asked Shawna if she wanted to meet with Pastor Jones (whose salary is wholly paid by the church) for spiritual counseling. In Rev. Jones's office, Shawna reaffirmed her faith in Christ, and from that point started attending services at Cookman. Eventually she graduated from TJM with a job. To mark the start of her new life, Shawna was baptized at Cookman along with three other students from her TJM class.

TJM has succeeded in helping many people like Shawna achieve both financial and spiritual liberty. If it were not for their autonomy under Charitable Choice to follow a holistic approach, Rev. Jones doubts their efforts would be as worthwhile. "Before, I never considered federal money because I felt it meant we couldn't maintain our religious integrity," she explains. "The gospel is liberating, and we're dealing with people who need to experience that freedom and hope."

For more on TJM, see Jill Witmer Sinha, "Cookman United Methodist Church and Transitional Journey: A Case Study in Charitable Choice" (Washington, D.C.: Center for Public Justice, August 2000).

[chap. 5, pp. 117-118]