Every day, an average of 112 people — most of them the newly poor — sign up for free government health care in South Carolina.
Since the recession officially hit in December 2007, some 3,300 people a month, on average, have signed up for Medicaid in a state that outpaces the nation for poverty, obesity and diseases such as diabetes. Yet, South Carolina’s political leaders have been among the most vocal in the country in opposition of the new health care law….
It makes me wonder, though, what local churches are doing to minister to the ‘newly poor’ from within their own congregations.
In my case, the response was simply “we will pray for you”. More recently a job board has been established at the church, so that’s a step in the right direction.
But I think more can be done.
For example:
retired members can volunteer to watch children at the church while parents go for job interviews.
offer to pay or help pay bills for one or two months.
Divert food bank food when necessary.
etc.
Just a thought or two.
Our Church is getting involved with food distribution.
LibraryJim in your comment above;what do you mean when you said, “divert food bank food when necessary?”
“Put the free market back in charge of the state’s economy and create more jobs and a thriving private sector.”
A great idea.
Perhaps all those poor people will just have to wait for the private sector to start miraculously offering jobs with health insurance. I’m sure they will be patient.
RE: “Perhaps all those poor people will just have to wait for the private sector to start miraculously offering jobs with health insurance.”
Well they’ve had to wait so many many many centuries for the State to do so — I’m sure they won’t mind waiting a few more months for the free market to take charge — should the State deem it acceptable, that is.
Re: the free market
Sure, and those 100+ million workers killed by Stalin and Mao were just some broken eggs used to make that savory socialist omelette that you all think will make society one big happy, satisfied family.
qharbour, we give food for the rescue mission, for the Second Harvest food bank, etc. Why not divert those donations to parishioners with families who have lost jobs and are now struggling to put food on their table?
when the ends justify the means #5….
#6, our church has a food bank open to all residents of the community, not just church members.
Chris, that’s great. We don’t have a food bank in particular. All of the food collected goes to the General food bank. I’M saying let’s have one for the Church members — especially those who have lost their jobs recently or whose assistance has run out. Too often the Church will minister to the community and forget to minister to those in their own pews.
#5 I love it when people resort to an argument that implies that Canada, France, Germany and Sweden were the same as Stalinism. As it is, people in those countries are… happier than in ours.
#4 um… “A few months.” That’s pretty idealistic, Sarah. Not sure why any company would spend money on human capital when it costs profits. In a few generations they might learn that, but in the long run, we’re all dead.