Faith in Action: The Church's Role in Addressing Homelessness (05/31/'24) -Viewpoint

Faith in Action: The Church's Role in Addressing Homelessness Bible Verses Related to the Statement (RSV) Matthew 25:35-40 (RSV) "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'" James 2:14-17 (RSV) "What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." Isaiah 58:6-7 (RSV) "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" Meaning of the Statement The statement emphasizes the disconnect between the church's teachings on compassion and the actual practices of many modern churches, particularly in addressing homelessness. Despite having substantial resources, many church buildings are underutilized, with their doors locked most of the time. This situation is troubling given that a significant percentage of the homeless population consists of baptized Christians. The statement calls for churches to reassess how they can better serve their communities, especially those who are most vulnerable. Problems for the Modern Church Underutilization of Resources Church buildings are often only used for a limited number of hours each week. This underutilization of space and resources is a missed opportunity to serve the community, particularly the homeless. Lack of Awareness and Engagement Some churches are unaware of the homeless individuals within their congregation or community, leading to a lack of targeted support and services. Even when churches are aware, they may not have effective programs to assist those in need. Perception and Stigma Homeless individuals may feel stigmatized or unwelcome in church communities, exacerbating their sense of isolation and making it difficult for them to seek help. This issue is compounded when church members are unaware of or indifferent to the struggles of their homeless counterparts. Faith without Works As emphasized in the book of James, faith without action is insufficient. Churches may preach compassion and charity but fail to implement practical measures to address homelessness, thereby not living out their faith in tangible ways. Conclusion The statement highlights the need for churches to reevaluate how they utilize their resources and engage with their communities. By opening their doors more frequently and creating programs to support the homeless, churches can better fulfill their social and spiritual mission. This alignment of faith with action is crucial in addressing the needs of homeless individuals and truly embodying the teachings of Christ.