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A truly philanthropic society combines the best of charitable work from both the private and the public sector. Too often we get caught up in what government can provide, and in larger corporate charitable pursuits. While those organizations surely do their part of help those less fortunate or in difficult situations, it’s important to not lose sight of the important work done on a daily basis by faith-based organizations. One such group that is doing great work here locally is Journey Christian Church, led by lead pastor Steve Phillips.
Pastor Steve Phillips states that “the Journey ministry is called the Love Our Neighbors Project, based upon the great commandment of Jesus — to love the Lord our God with all our being, and to love our neighbors as ourselves”. Journey regularly comes to the aid of local homeowners unable to maintain their property due to issues such as illness and financial hardship. Journey and their parishioners have regularly jumped in to provide repairs at no cost.
These efforts are indicative of the value that faith based organizations can provide. All too often an increasing percentage of the population wants to attach negative connotations to faith-based organizations and their parishioners. In the ongoing debate regarding the role of faith in society, the discussion sometimes neglects the important work done on a daily basis by parishioners such as the congregation at Journey. These efforts are not publicized and not done to gain attention by these organizations. It doesn’t take an army to lend a helping hand and improve the situation of an individual citizen, allowing that person to potentially help others in the long run. All it really takes is a group of people looking to do good works for the betterment of the local community and willing to reach out.
The concept of charity itself has its origins in early Christianity. In Christian theology, the term caritas became the standard Latin translation for the Greek word Αγάπε, meaning an unlimited loving-kindness to all others. Over time the term evolved to represent the Christian triplet of “faith, hope and charity”, as used in the King James Bible in St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians. This concept, that individuals, organizations and the state should offer help to those in need without an expectation that a favor will be returned — charity — contributed greatly to the influence of Christianity. According to writer Christopher Price the Christian concept of charity was unique because it promoted the idea that charity was not limited to one’s own family or even one’s own social or cultural group. Over the centuries Christians have carried with them this concept of charity and it has had a significant influence on humanity.
In an era where many want government to provide the answer for every ill of society let’s remember the important efforts done by thousands of citizens on a daily basis ” a simple act of kindness” to help their fellow man — with no link to state, local or national government. As the ongoing debate of the role of religion in American society continues, it’s important to remember the good works of faith based individuals and organizations on a daily basis.
It’s my personal opinion that faith based organizations do a better job serving than the government does. EV Free Fullerton also used to help homeowners out also-they called it Family Fix It Day. They stopped doing that though for some reason.
They always have Kim, keep government out of it and let the community help their neighbors. Our churches have always been there and they always will.
When is the last time you tried to get inside a church during the week Katherine? Their doors are always locked. Maybe the church you attend helps its neighbors but I beg to differ…maybe they only help their paying parishioners…those who are actually signed up as belonging to their church. Actually, you gave me an idea for a future story…thank you.
Our church doors are open during the week…most churches that I am familiar with are also open during the week. Sure, they may have “office hours” and such, but for the most part they coincide with regular business hours and often into the evening. Sorry, you have had other experiences…
I can certainly attest that our church certainly helps more than just our “paying parishioners”…local, national, and global. Most “paying parishioners” are the ones that are providing the financial support to do the good works. Sure, the church will help their own members when there is a need, but they will also help those who have no affiliation to the church itself or to Christianity itself.
Yeah, well Inge’s bias leads her to make comments like that, rife with sweeping statements and overgeneralizations. She routinely takes a single experience she had, or heard about, and paints an entire religion with that brushstroke. She just can’t help herself.
wish they sold shares in churches,,,,would be a good return on the investment
I agree Willie, they do have shares. By visiting your local church you are contributing back to your community and it will cost you nothing except the feeling of belonging to the “human” race.
(I think that Vern or I need to explain willie to you, Katherine. The man’s a character!)
It is nice to hear this particular church is “walking their talk”…. sorry you believe religious organizations get a bad rap…but many deserve it. Look at Crystal Cathedral…their karma finally caught up with them…exactly how much money…tithed dollars… did they spend on that outrageous building? Did they walk their talk?
No one has to be a Christian to do the right thing. Christians do not have a monopoly on Good Works. The Religious Right is the only group that constantly cries about being discriminated against while they openly attack groups they don’t like, such as LBGT community, Non-believers, and other religious groups.
I watched a Christian religious group in downtown Santa Ana pass out food to the homeless — what bothered me was the homeless had to listen to their sermon before they could eat. What if I showed up as a priestess of Wicca and had them listen to my “sermon” before eating…how long would it take for the RR to come screaming down there and make a scene?
As for your views about Christian Churches not being an organization…untrue…they are an organization that actively participates and influences our government.
The problem with ANY of these organizations…be they government or religious…its run by people that somehow get big heads (egos) and decide they are the only ones capable of doing the right thing.
Mostly, they are there for you.
Everyday, even though I have very little the economy has not been kind to me, I reach out. If it is to my local animal shelter by gathering blankets and towels from friends and family, reaching into my pocket to offer a small amount of change or giving a ride to someone who is trying to get from one area of the city to another. I volunteer at the Senior Center assisting them with donations, I reach out and do whatever I can do.
Just imagine, along with our local parishes, businesses offer up the use of all those empty conference rooms once a week to gather supplies for these organizations, including helping our military families struggling to get by. We all can help, we can all do something to get the “government out of our private life”
Just a thought, thank you for your comment Inge
“I watched a Christian religious group in downtown Santa Ana pass out food to the homeless — what bothered me was the homeless had to listen to their sermon before they could eat.” Are you saying that they were “required” to listen to the sermon before eating? Or, was there some preaching done and if someone wanted to listen they could otherwise, they could eat?
I am familiar with the Wednesday street dinner served at Civic Center by the same group each week and although yes, there is someone who has a table set up for prayers and religious assistance, there is in way a sermon given and absolutely no requirement for someone to listen to anything on or do anything else prior to eating. Heck, the group generally even brings doggie treats! The group does try to limit 2nd’s until evertyone has been served and they like to have some organized lines, but when there are over 100 people there needs to be some rules I suppose. Maybe it was a different night of the week that there was a listen to the sermon and then eat mentality. I hope there are multiple groups down there serving.
Boutwell,
I don’t remember what day it was or who the group were. I was there for an Occupy Santa Ana meeting. I was in the same place another time…for another OSA meeting and the homeless were being fed by a different group who did not preach. Don’t know if they were religiously affiliated. An hour later there was another smaller group of people walking by handing out sandwiches and bottled water. Yes, it appears that there are multiple groups of people serving.
“sorry you believe religious organizations get a bad rap…but many deserve it.”
And yet you’ve written before that you don’t have anything against religion, per se.
Can we please dispense with that BS and just agree you definitely do have a bias against religion?
Anon…I have a bias against bullshit.
Yes. You think religion is bullshit. So spare us the “I don’t have anything against religion per se” bullshit.
We know how you feel. Whenever there’s a post like this, you’re the first to jump in with your anti-religion bias. It’s plain for all to see.
Just be intellectually honest about it. That would be far easier to respect.
Anon…please read my entire comment before adding you two cents. I am not about to repeat myself…it’s your job to actually read it.
See — you believe since you are Christian…you are some how more “intellectual” than me…that’s the bullshit I’m talking about.
Really? You think that because I claim that you’re not being intellectually honest with us, that it logically follows that I’m claiming that I’m intellectually superior to you?
Bias can certainly lead people to conclusions lacking in basic logic.
And where did I say I was Christian? Is that the conclusion your bias led you to without any basis in evidence?
Breaking news…well, sort of… New Pope Francis says atheists get to go to Heaven too. I wish I sat in that pew…bet I could have heard a pin drop! I like this guy!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/22/pope-francis-atheists-can-be-good
I have been meaning to check that (I thought it was going to be a long sermon video) out as it is such a contrast to prior comments from the papacy (hopefully that is the correct word)…He did not say that they get to go to heaven but instead said that atheists can do good…”We all have the duty to do good”. Huge difference. Hopefully that is not controversial as we all should be doing good works.
I highly doubt that Pope Francis believes that one is saved and spends eternity in heaven just by doing good though.