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Tidy Up in the New Year and Benefit Charities
Marie Kondo (KonMari) has taught more than ten million people to tidy up. Or at least, she’s sold them books about how to do so. Lots of people have simplifying on their minds, and January seems to be the prime month for getting organized and setting goals. Releasing our grasp on too much stuff is great for us (Matt 6:19–20). And in the process, we can also reap more benefits than merely purging. As the adage goes, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Here are some organizations that would love your gently worn treasures: · Used Bibles and Christian literature. “Love Packages” recycles Bibles, Sunday school materials, VBS literature, and…
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Five Things I’m Learning from Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Today I’m happy to host Ethel Gould as a guest blogger. During her seminary arts apprenticeship, she has served as a writer for a ministry to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Here she passes on some of what she’s been learning: A panhandler’s presence on a street corner has always brought to my mind an old story about seminary students stepping over a homeless man on their way to a final exam about Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan. But still, before I reached for the change cup in my car, I'd worry that my cash might contribute to an addiction. Then I worked for a drop-in center that serves individuals…
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But What if They Smell Like Pee
In his renowned work, "They Smell Like Sheep" Dr. Lynn Anderson challenges all of us to lead like Christ, the good shepherd. (John 10:14) He insists, "while the term 'shepherd' produces warm images of love, care, and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty, and smelly." Essentially the book goes on to say that true discipleship is no walk in the park, rather, if you are truly going to be a shepherd you must become well acquainted with the muck and mire of the sheep. The concept of being fully invested in the lives of sheep has been paramount in my own life…
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Homelessness: You Can Make a Difference
What changes in ministry to the homeless have workers seen since the economy took a nosedive? And what can the average person do? Kerry Brubaker serves as Outreach Ministries Coordinator for Water Street Ministries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a city she says has taken less of a hit economically than others. Her office is tasked with prevention—helping the poor to avoid homelessness, which includes building relationships and dispensing bags of groceries. Her department has seen a 5% increase in requests for food. And whereas most clients in the past walked over from the surrounding neighborhood, recently she has seen more people, including families, driving in from surrounding areas to access services.…
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Homelessness: You Can Make a Difference
What changes in ministry to the homeless have workers seen since the economy took a nosedive? And what can the average person do? Kerry Brubaker serves as Outreach Ministries Coordinator for Water Street Ministries in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a city she says has taken less of a hit economically than others. Her office is tasked with prevention—helping the poor to avoid homelessness, which includes building relationships and dispensing bags of groceries. Her department has seen a 5% increase in requests for food. And whereas most clients in the past walked over from the surrounding neighborhood, recently she has seen more people, including families, driving in from surrounding areas to access services.…
