So, would your church give formula for the baby?

[ALAYMAN]

If you have not been made aware, there is a viral tic tok circulating where a woman is calling churches with an experiment/scenario to see how many of them would be willing to immediately provide assistance for a hungry baby that needs formula. Here's an analysis of the experiment by a Christian pastor...

Thoughts?

 

[abcaines]

First off, she admits that she's not being truthful in her approach to churches, rather she's an outsider trying to test them. She's gone viral, so her scam is well known. What do you think that knowledge is going to do for a church who genuinely has a heart to assist but in the back of their minds, they are wondering if this is a scam or not. I say this scam is hurting those who need help because now the church is forced to discern whether she's the genuine article or someone who claims to be out for a virtuous cause but in reality, she's racking up followers for herself and cares more about making churches look bad instead of effecting genuine changes.

Then, in the name of careful stewardship, what if a church doesn't follow her preconceived notion of how they're supposed to help? Being a good steward of what God provides then becomes a point of criticism for those who lack discernment.

A church that is worth it's salt always stands ready to assist with physical needs but they don't answer them willy nilly. A good church evaluates the situation and strives for a solution that maximizes the good that can be done for the person in need. Our church here in Lewiston has helped numerous folks quietly and generously but we never do so without sharing the Gospel and offering guidance to address the base need.

 

[Ransom]

Then, in the name of careful stewardship, what if a church doesn't follow her preconceived notion of how they're supposed to help?

Many of the replies to the Twitter post were along these lines. Many churches don't just give out money or food to people in need: they support other charities or ministries that meet those needs and refer people to them.

My church partners with various ministries around town, supporting street people, students, children, and so forth. We're one organization, not specifically equipped to help everyone who might have particular needs. But those other organizations are each geared toward a particular type of outreach.

For example, we financially support the local crisis pregnancy centre, with regular donations as well as a big annual fundraiser. Hypothetically, someone calling the church office with baby needs would be referred to them. It's not like we have a closet full of baby formula to give out--but the CPC does. They specialize in helping young moms in need. To the woman posing as a mother in need of formula this counts as a failure. But that's the mechanism we've set up to meet exactly the needs she claims.

 

[ALAYMAN]

We encourage anyone looking for help to attend a service, as we care about their soul as well as their temporal needs. In addition, we want to help them learn practical life skills that will help them get out of the bad habits they may be doing. Having said that, in the simple scenario provided in the video, we would attempt to get them some formula in the short-term.

 

[Baptist Renegade]

If I were at my church and took this call, I would be like this pastor telling her to meet me at the church and if she had a legitimate need, I would pay for the baby formula out of my own pocket!

I would not be happy to find out she was just calling in order to "See" if I was willing to help. I do not think anyone wants to have their time wasted!

 

[aleshanee]

we have a ministry to homeless mothers and single mothers that does this very thing.... . among many other things.... ... i;m a part of that ministry and frequently refer women we come across on the street and in homeless shelters to it ..... .. plus my friends and i ...who go out each week, have bought formula for mothers needed it on our own from time to time... .also medicines and what else they might need.... ....

but getting them into the care of our churches ministry can insure they have access to formula on a regular basis as long as they need the help.. ... and not just one time only...... either way whether we come across them on our own or are sent to them after they call the church the one thing we want to see is a baby........ and we will deliver the actual formula to them.... or have them accompany us to the store to get it.... rather than just handing them money to go get it themselves.....

 

[ALAYMAN]

we have a ministry to homeless mothers and single mothers that does this very thing.... . among many other things.... ... i;m a part of that ministry and frequently refer women we come across on the street and in homeless shelters to it ..... .. plus my friends and i ...who go out each week, have bought formula for mothers needed it on our own from time to time... .also medicines and what else they might need.... ....

but getting them into the care of our churches ministry can insure they have access to formula on a regular basis as long as they need the help.. ... and not just one time only...... either way whether we come across them on our own or are sent to them after they call the church the one thing we want to see is a baby........ and we will deliver the actual formula to them.... or have them accompany us to the store to get it.... rather than just handing them money to go get it themselves.....

Fan-stinkin-tastic!