Ministry News

Houston Churches Preach Census

Details: Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:12

QUOTE: “The count can [and] will really determine the funding for many agencies in this city who benefit from federal funding in many ways.” —Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John’s Downtown in Houston, who was one of a number of Houston-area pastors discussing the importance of church members participating in the census on Sunday. The federal government uses census data to allocate about $400 billion of aid money, and many church ministries, such as Rasmus’ Bread of Life, rely that aid. [kvue.com, 3/8/10]

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Related Terms: aid money , bread of life , federal funding , houston , ministers , rudy rasmus

Comments

-1 #9 Arising Glory 2010-03-10 03:29

These comments show that people do not know the difference between government and ministry. They should be compatible, ideally, but people today think the President should be the pastor and the pastor should be the governor. It just does not work like that in today's society. (Pastors have trouble getting along with each other!) Church people think they run the world but they are so out of touch it is a joke to everyone but them! :cry:

You might think I am complaining to say that, but I am telling you the mindset of Christians today. Christians have to earn their place in governing and they have not.

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+1 #8 Susan 2010-03-09 12:44

I understand that there are many abuses by the government with our tax dollars. Still, I don't understand how people are going to live without help, especially disabled, senior and others who face a crisis.
In this day and age everything is very, very expensive.
I have a challenge: Right now, this minute, would you advocate the end of Medicare (a government program)?
What would we do with all of our seniors? What about seniors without family to help them?

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-1 #7 SRP 2010-03-09 12:21

Susan, where do you think the "government" money comes from? It is confiscated from citizens under threat of a gun. Godly compassion for your mother -- or my mother -- is not expressed by putting a gun in your face, taking your money, so my mother can be cared for. The "government" doesn't just get money from nowhere -- it takes it by force from someone else to give it to you , your mother, or your food kitchen -- whatever. That is not Christian in any sense of the term.

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0 #6 Pastor Paul Hartley 2010-03-09 11:28

When it comes to individuals who are receiving government help, I see no problems with this. Why you ask? Because Jesus said in Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17, and Luke 20:25, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." All true Christians pay both taxes to the government, and tithes unto God. If we "render," than we are entitled to help from both the government agencies and God providential care. So as I see it both from a natural stance and spiritual stance, if we do or sow if you like, as Jesus Christ dictates then we can expect a blessings from both God and the government.

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0 #5 Pastor Paul Hartley 2010-03-09 11:28

My personal fear of government funding is the often governmental regulations that come attached to the funding, that governs what you can and cannot say to those you are helping. One example I am personally acquainted with is an incident with an Hubbard House for abuse women and children. They came to our church soliciting both financial and material donations and we were more than happy to help however, they instructed us because they are connected with the government, that we could not talk about Jesus' name or for that matter any religious way.

:-)

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0 #4 Susan 2010-03-09 10:45

Hi Darlene,
If we are supposed to look to each other for aid and not ask the government, will you help me pay for my 86-year-old mother's medical bills and medicine, so that she can stop using Medicaid?
I work way over 40 hours a week and help her as much as I can, but I can't afford to do everything, and I am her only child.
If she has to have surgery, who will pay for it?

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+3 #3 SRP 2010-03-09 07:30

Money is always the trap to suck you into government control. Any church that is preaching more government funding and how to get it has so completely lost site of the Godly principle of self-government, liberty, and the authority of the believer as to be a "church" in name only, no different than any other false "church." They might as well be a "church" of scientology or a "church" of new thought.

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+3 #2 Pastor Paul Hartley 2010-03-09 05:33

It sure sounds like a conflict of interest. I have always been under the impression that government money comes with certain strings attached. I may be wrong however, I do not believe so.

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+4 #1 Darlene Cornfield 2010-03-09 04:33

The church is not supposed to be looking to the government for aid. We are supposed to be the aid to the people and then the government wouldn't have to provide aid.

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