Recently, I was talking to a Christian colleague who works in the world of anti-human trafficking ministry. (I chair the Board of the European Freedom Network). She had been talking with a non-Christian leader in the same field who seemed distinctly suspicious of the faith element of Christians who reach out to serve the most needy.
Surely Christians abuse vulnerability. Aren’t they really just interested in seeing faith conversions? Do they force their beliefs onto people? Will non-Christian clients feel obliged to participate in faith activities? What about those who have other beliefs? Do Christians care for them too?
I admit I was sad to hear that such concerns still exist, but I’m thankful that she was able to articulate her concerns. Now, I’m not saying that Christian ministries never get it wrong. Sometimes they don’t focus on what their mission statement says. But most Christian social action follows excellent standards of unconditional welcome and service to all, knows how to care for people’s needs and to make engagement with prayer or faith conversations available but optional.
At least in the UK, we are also seeing secular partners and the authorities begin to understand that the Christian faith can be a positive when it comes to helping the vulnerable. For example: My husband works for a Christian charity. Among its many activities, it helps people journey out of homelessness. The charity collaborates well with the Council, health service, benefits advisors etc.
Recently, a senior colleague said there’s an increasing understanding by the authorities that the homeless don’t just need help with a home / finances /addiction / mental health issues etc. “They need unconditional love.”
Another non-Christian co-worker said she always loves to come and work in the church based homeless drop-in space because:
“It’s so peaceful and welcoming here.”
Every Christmas, the charity hosts a simple church service where homeless people who have died are remembered. It is a moving time for the homeless community themselves and for the agencies that work to support them. Space to process loss and give burdens to the Lord is so appreciated. Many people have already signed up for this year’s event.
Faith can be and is being appreciated!
There is another side though. Just as secular organisations can be prejudiced about Christian social action ministries, there can be an opposite prejudice. Christians are not the only ones doing good work. It’s important that we build bridges so that we can collaborate well with the authorities and secular organisations. This leads to mutual learning, saving of resources and more joined up care for the community. Christians should take care not to lose our distinctiveness – and to walk away from funding if there is a danger of this. But let’s not think we have a monopoly on compassion or understanding.
At our best, Christian ministry to the needy offers help with immediate struggles but we also support people as they walk into their better future. We all need to be known and not feel like a problem to be solved. Out of relationship, holistic care for individuals can grow. Balancing truth with grace, we offer hope, life, meaning, dignity, identity and purpose. A vulnerable person probably does not want to be preached at but there is a good chance they will welcome being prayed for. Across this continent, there are thousands of churches and Christian organisations with stories to tell of lives transformed by the power of God’s love and these will often include personal faith journeys.
So, the next time a secular journalist or agency seems suspicious of Christian social action, let’s be slow to anger and quick to love them and explain the reasons why we do what we do. Let’s seek to partner together so that we can show the good that we do. And let’s be confident in the difference that faith makes. We know that people don’t just need food / safe housing/ legal support / accommodation etc. They need answers to their deeper needs. They need Jesus.
“Can I pray for you about that?”
That might just be the start of a life transforming faith in Jesus.
By Julia Doxat-Purser, EEA’s Socio-political Representative & Religious Liberty Coordinator
