How can you involve more church members in ministry to the poor and make the poor a visible priority within your church? You need to do at least three things: (1) show them the need is real, (2) show them the need can and should be met, and (3) show them how they can meet the need.

Real Need
Even with the glut of information the media age provides, many Christians simply aren't aware of the depth of poverty across the globe, much less of the depth of poverty in their neighborhoods. Place books and videos in the church library or resource center that will inform and motivate readers about poverty.

Some suggestions are Breaking the Cycle: Issues Affecting Poverty (WMU, 2004) and I Can Do That! (WMU, 2005), We Can Do That Too!, We Can Do That!, There is Hope: The Continuing Story of Christian Women's Job Corps (WMU, 2002), and What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty (aha!, 1999).

Speakers reach even more people than books and videos. Work with your church staff to incorporate in services brief times of testimony by church members already active in ministry to the poor.

…

Meeting the Need
Poverty is a many-headed monster. Illness, illiteracy, job outsourcing and layoffs, a weak family structure, even natural disasters can plunge people into poverty. But once there, other problems come into play and create a downward spiral that's hard to escape. Volunteers can become so overwhelmed when they learn this that they want to throw up their hands and cry, "The poor will be with us always!" This is when you must use your skills of encouragement and motivation to instill confidence in your church members. Associational and state WMU leaders will be happy to help explain what resources are available for training in literacy ministries, disaster relief, Christian Women's Job Corps^®, Christian Men's Job Corps^®, verbal witnessing, and other ministries. This lets volunteers know they aren't doing it all alone.

And don't forget the essentials of prayer. Overcome doubt by equipping members with the knowledge that they are working in God's strength, doing God's will. (You might wish to launch a study of Follow Me: Becoming a Lifestyle Prayerwalker (New Hope^®, 2005), which teaches how to prayerwalk, and then lead a prayerwalking group in the area where they will minister.)

…

Volunteers Meet the Need
What poverty ministries already go on at your church? Work with those leaders to plan a ministry event that engages church members not already involved. Make sure everyone understands that this is a one-time event with no strings attached.

In the days when sailing vessels were always short of crews, some captains resorted to trickery or outright kidnapping to get able-bodied men on board, where they were stuck for the duration of the voyage.

While you may feel equally short-handed, always remember you want volunteers. When they catch a vision for what can be done for God's kingdom in ministry, many will sign up for a longer voyage!

Check with your Baptist association about upcoming one-day ministry events in which your church can participate. Find out exactly what is expected of people and do everything you can to make your members' participation go smoothly and that they are actively involved.

…

Whatever you choose to do, be ready to follow up with interested church members who can't wait to do more!

*Cathy Butler is a WMU author who lives in West Alabama with her husband and two sons. She has served in WMU on the local, associational, and state levels.