The Poor You'll Always Have With You

 

Among the wealthiest Americans, 18% never attend church. For those who are considered poor, that number is 35% (Burger, 2019). We save a seat beside us, but those who feel the lack in life do not see the Church as a place of belonging. Jesus elevated the poor, refreshed the weary, fed the multitudes. We ought to do the same.

I sometimes wonder what obstacles stand in the way for those who won't come to church. Is it the service time, the dress code, or a low opinion of Christians? I know of a few people in our church whose lower IQ mean they do not understand what is being preached. They enjoy the fellowship and contribute to the body of Christ, but often disconnect during the sermon, not engaging with the text. Is it possible to change that? 

At work, the hardest phone calls I receive are those from people asking for gas money or shelter. Sometimes they have children in need, severe health problems, and food insecurity. I point them to local resource centers, but my first question is always, "Do you have a church family?" If they had a church family, I hope I would not be fielding their calls. They would be part of a congregation who had their back, who would be friends, who would take them to lunch, and to doctor's appointments. They would have connections who would look at their bank account and show them the possibilities if they spent less on X and saved for Y. They could receive prayer and healing.

The Church has become simply a possible emergency line, a random place whose name puts it at the top of a Google search. How might Christians be attractive to the lost and lonely, like Jesus who lived as a servant? 

References

Burger, J. 2019. https://aleteia.org/2019/12/08/poor-leaving-church-en-masse-says-researcher

Collamer, M. Photo. 2018. https://unsplash.com/photos/man-holding-card-with-seeking-human-kindness-text-8UG90AYPDW4