Christianity and Poverty
Presentation for Interfaith Week
November 2011
Greg Smith
Who we are?
A loose network of individual Christians, churches and
social action projects and organisations in Preston and
South Ribble
Drawn from Catholic, Anglican, Free Church and
Evangelical traditions
Working together to tackle poverty, develop social action,
speak our for and with the poor in our community and coordinate the work of churches.
Supported by
Church Urban Fund
Methodist Action
Hundreds of volunteers from the
churches in the area
Why are we Christians concerned about poverty?
The Bible tells us
God made all people equal
God does not respect persons (according to their
wealth or status.. But according to their heart
faithfulness)
The Bible (Old Testament) tells us
God commanded his people to care for the poor.. Especially the
widows, the orphans, the immigrants
God acts to free the oppressed.. (slaves in Egypt) and cares for the
destitute
God commands a forgiveness of debts, restoration of lost land,
freedom of slaves every seven / fifty years in Sabbath and jubilee
God gets angry when the rich oppress the poor… Elijah.. Isaiah…
Amos
The Bible (New Testament) tells us
Jesus the messiah was born poor.. And lived among the poor
and marginalised
Jesus told us to care for the needy .. Matt 25… a new age is
coming when the tables will be turned.. Magnificat.. Lazarus
and dives..
He repeatedly warned the rich… the rich fool.. The Pharisees..
Zaccheus the tax collector who when converted paid back
fourfold..
In the Bible (New Testament) the first church
Shared all things in common
Looked after the widows and orphans, collected funds for
relief in famines
Always remembered the poor and had the ideal of equality
The church has a long tradition of serving and empowering the
poor.. (as well as a counter tradition of being captured by the
rich and powerful)
•The abbeys
•The Friars… (St. Francis)
•The Anabaptists - The levelllers
•The Methodists .. John Wesley… Trade Unions.. Primitive Methodists
•The Salvation Army
•Wilberforce, Shaftesbury
•Liberation Theology.. South Africa.. Christian Aid .. Tear Fund
•Dalits..
1985… Faith in the City… Urban Priority Areas.
Thatcher government called it naïve Marxism
Church Urban Fund…
Church Action of Poverty..
Frontier Youth Trust
Housing Justice
POVERTY
IN PRESTON
And where the Christians are thin on the ground
What we are doing
Homeless drop ins:
Homeless Forum…
giving homeless
people a voice
Listening skills
FOOD BANK
UNEMPLOYMENT …
Work Clubs.
Helping people
Prepare for
Employability
REDEEMING OUR
COMMUNITIES.
ROC Conversations
'ROC Conversations' are part of our strategy for working within a city or region.
They are evening events which bring together members of the local community,
including representatives from the church, police and fires services, local
councillors. We have found it helpful to base the localities on existing police
divisions or by neighbourhood.
The evenings give plenty of opportunity for discussion based on themes such as
'What do we hope our community will look like in 5 years' time? 'What resources
do we, at this table, have to offer our community's needs?' and 'What could be
done through working together?'
Money Lenders Campaign
USURY…. Bible quote
Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to one of
my people among you who is
needy, do not treat it like a
business deal; charge no
interest.
PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS OR NONE ARE INVITED
TO JOIN US IN :