How a caring and sharing community operates

A concern came to my attention this week that I want to share with you. A man, thin, long-faced, well-spoken, approached a congregant at her home. He claimed to be a Muslim convert, ostracised by his family. He knew her name, which was alarming to her, saying someone at Oaksfields had referred him (a side note, please, don’t share anyone’s contact details without their permission. And always be vigilant when you interact with anyone you don’t know). She felt uneasy about the interaction and contacted me.

The reason I’m sharing this is that the same person gave a similar story to someone else at our church last week. And at least one pastor friend reported a similar interaction. I do not yet know whether this is a genuine need or a problematic pattern. If you also encounter him, please let me know so we can respond together as a church, in an appropriate, and caring way.

Here’s a broader point. We regularly have people, strangers, and familiar faces, asking for help. Sometimes at our Sunday services. And sometimes at our church office. Some members give directly. And I’m deeply encouraged by your generosity and kindness. And I do not want to restrict your heart. But I want to suggest alternative ways to exercise your generosity. And flesh out some Biblical principles for wise and loving care:

• Care for your own family first (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Care for your church family next (Galatians 6:10).
• Then care for others as you are able (Luke 10:25-37).
• The early church kept lists of those in need, and so we should too (1 Timothy 5:9-16).
• Distribution was organised under the care of the deacons, and we should aspire to this model (Acts 6:1-6).

One of the most effective ways to help is through our benevolent fund. This allows our leaders to assess practical needs. Avoid duplication. Provide meaningful, and targeted help. We encourage people to do this as a separate transaction to their regular offering. In the past year we have used the fund to:

• Pay medical expenses in times of crisis.
• Help families, in dire, temporary need.
• Provide stopgap groceries to households facing temporal hardship.
• Assist widows in the midst of difficulty.

How to give to the Benevolent Fund:

• Mark an EFT into our regular account as Benevolent Fund.
• Bank: First National Bank
• Branch: Lakeside Mall
• Branch code: 251742
• Account Number: 59640513931

How to make us aware of a specific need:

• Speak to the pastor (Mark Penrith).
• Speak to an elder (Andre Broodryk, Robin Sammons, David Somerset).
• Speak to a deacon (David Bell, Ian Bowie, Robert Burge, Kumarin Chetty, Lance Long, Barbara Somerset, Gerhard Wessels).
• Contact the church office (Kaitlyn Penrith, +27 11 425 1992, office@benonibaptistchurch.com).

Let’s be a church that is both compassionate and wise. Let’s love generously and be God-honouring. Please consider channeling your loving support for those in need through the church. We will care for people gently. And wisely. Thank you for being a caring and sharing community.