Saddleback Hands Out 10,000 Grocery Bags
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, February 23, 2009
- Viewed 217
- (20) comments so far
Sounds like a great idea. 10,000 grocery bags filled and given to those in need. But I was a little taken back when the article said that most of the parishioners said they’d rather bring the bags back to the church rather than give the bag away themselves. Seems like this would have been for one of two reasons, both could be telling:
1. They don’t know anyone that could use a bag of free groceries. That seems kinda weird today, with so many people hurting. I know a good number of people in my own area/church that have lost their jobs in the past month. I’m sure most of them would be grateful.
2. It’s easier to fill a bag and bring it to the church. But that kinda takes a big part of this project off the table. A family will get much more satisfaction out of delivering the bag themselves than bringing the bag back to the church for it to be distributed to someone they don’t know.
But, overall… great idea.
What do you think?
Todd
According to The Christian Post, Saddleback Church recently distributed more than 10,000 empty shopping bags at the end of the services and challenged its congregants to overcome their economic fear with faith and take care of their neighbors’ need.
Pastor Rick Warren said, "The number one way that God tests your faith? Money... God wants to know: Are you going to worry, or are you going to trust me? … When I meet others' needs, God takes care of mine."
Saddleback encouraged participants to give the bag filled with nonperishable food to friends and family in need, but most of the parishioners said they'd rather bring the bags back to the church for it to distribute, according to The Orange County Register.
The southern California megachurch is expected to in turn donate the bags to local food banks that are desperately in need of supply.
Comments
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Jesse Phillips on Mon, February 23, 2009
wow, interesting. I think them wanting to bring back to church is indicative of a huge problem plaguing the Church. Here’s the problem: because we sit down in pews each week and listen to sermons and don’t do anything, don’t use our gifts, don’t participate - just give money, we don’t think we have any ability, or responsibility, or inclination to do anything.
I think it’s AWESOME that Saddleback tried to empower their people like that! and I think it’s sad that they chose to do what they always do - avoid responsibility, and not do good works themselves.
But it’s not their fault, it’s what our mega church culture has taught them to do. I think we need to transition our focus from sunday morning to small groups of people that meet to encourage each other, teach each other and all use their gifts to do ministry together - I think this will result in a much more active and healthy Church.
Nothing against mega church pastors, I do love what they’re doing, but I think this article exposes a fatal flaw that must be addressed!
Paul Bowman on Mon, February 23, 2009
What a great idea! I agree with the first part of what Jesse said regarding the reasoning behind people just wanting to bring the bags back to the church. It’s still a great thing, but many people are going to miss out on an awesome experience of helping someone directly face to face. But, nonetheless, the food banks will get some much needed supplies!
Pastor Chris on Mon, February 23, 2009
I think that giving is tricky if you take the feelings of those in need into account. It may be more satisfying for me to give, face to face, but it may not be more satisfying to the person in need, who may feel shamed.
I know a bunch of folks who have lost jobs, too, but they are still managing to feed their families and would be more than taken aback if I pressed a sack of groceries (of my choosing) on them. I think that many people in need of groceries would prefer to go to a Food Bank and not feel that their friends think they are needy. So I also would (and do) make my food donations to my church to hand out in a dignified way to those who ask.
CS on Mon, February 23, 2009
Two things come to mind about this idea and the reaction from the parishioners.
First, Saddleback is located in a very affluent area, so for the people to distribute the food they would likely have to go outside of their own neighborhood. When you add into this the amount of effort required to do so, including the driving and research, my bet is that people get lazy and don’t want to do this. So, they turn back to the church, assuming that there are channels in place to get it where it needs to go.
Second, while it’s a great idea, again, it goes back to the acts of goodwill without the sharing of the Gospel to which I referred recently in another post. My bet is that many of the people, if asked why they were doing this, would be uncomfortable explaining how Christ would want them to do this. Or, they are ill-equipped to provide an answer for the hope that lies within. And charity without the Gospel is a great way of making happy people who continue on the road to Hell.
—
CS
Lauralyn Vasquez on Mon, February 23, 2009
We have been passing out empty bags for over 8 months. It has been a tremendous success. In fact people are writing in letters stating how blessed they feel. Others are starting to come to church to pick up a bag themselves. The beauty of this is that it takes away the shame and builds love between friends and community. I have personally been to the food pantries, and that is so humbling and alone. But when a friend brought me food, I felt loved and cared for.
Nora on Mon, February 23, 2009
I have to confess that I would probably feel more comfortable giving the bag back to the church as well. But I was recently challenged by something Shane Claiborne said in his book Irresistible Revolution. He said (I’m paraphrasing) that many of us prefer this giving from a distance because it is easier, but real life change happens when both parties (the giver and the recipient) are face to face because of the potential for relationship. So, while I don’t believe that everything I give away has to be accompanied by a gospel presentation, when I am in relationship with whomever I’m giving to, chances are much greater that a discussion of faith will occur in the context of that relationship.
And, of course, all of this kind of underscores the fact that I am not in “relationship” with very many poor people, which is a sad deficiency on my part.
AZDoug on Mon, February 23, 2009
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! This is a tangible way in which all can participate in reaching out and taking a bite out of need, hunger and poverty in our community. We might just use this idea in the coming weeks. Enough churches multiply this idea and the 10,000 bags handed out will be 100,000 in no time.
this is servant evangelism on a large scale.
I love it.
Shawn Wilson on Mon, February 23, 2009
I think this is a great idea and a great way to be a light to those around you. I wish the people would have been a little more inspired to reach out to those in need but the end result is the same with the food bank.
However, why do we think that people aren’t sharing the gospel when they do this? (Question directed at CS) Every post that has something to do with reaching out to those who are needy, you post something like:
“ I bet they are not preaching the gospel because they don’t know how, blah, blah, blah!!)”
DUDE GET OVER YOURSELF!!! Have you ever helped someone who needed help? Do you share the gospel EVERYWHERE you go? Really? How bout at the drive thru? In the bathroom with the guy in the stall next to you? How about when you are stuck in traffic jams. Do you get out and go window to window?
There is a time for everything and a place for everything. To just go up and start talking to the guy in the stall next to you would be pointless since he is not going top hear anything you have to say because of BAD TIMING!!!
WE MUST BE LEAD BY THE SPIRIT!! Since the Spirit is what draws men in the first place!! I just don’t get you brother. Sorry
Lauralyn Vasquez on Mon, February 23, 2009
Isn’t sharing the gospel sharing love? God uses us in so many different ways. Some are to send others are to go. We need to remember that blessed are the poor in spirit. Let’s share his love how ever we are able. Stop judging and look inward to our own hearts. I love the comment “we must be lead by the holy spirit” by Shawn and AZDoug, one part of the elephant at a time. Just make a point to love someone today how ever you are able. I know that this week it was 10,000 and soon it will more than double. Because our God is El Shaddai, the God of more than enough.
Jan on Mon, February 23, 2009
I think that’s an awesome idea. Have you ever been to Saddleback? I could see them not knowing someone in need. Or at least them thinking they don’t know someone. That area is pretty well to do.
I remember a woman here telling me that she did not know one non Christian in her life.
So, I asked her if she grocery shopped, got gas, bought a cup of coffee? Were they all believers?
She just didn’t want to see and connect to someone who was different then her.
I think it would be cool to take some of those who were willing out to do some deliveries.
CS on Mon, February 23, 2009
Shawn:
Answering your last questions first…
“Have you ever helped someone who needed help? Do you share the gospel EVERYWHERE you go? Really? How bout at the drive thru? In the bathroom with the guy in the stall next to you? How about when you are stuck in traffic jams. Do you get out and go window to window?”
I hate saying this for fear of sounding proud or boastful, but actually I do try to share the Gospel directly about everywhere I go. I have given Bible tracts and/or spoken with just about everyone with whom I interact on a daily basis. Take today, for instance.
I left home this morning to have my car serviced. I gave the family that owns the shop a Gospel tract. I went to work today, and I have already spoken with all of my coworkers and boss about my faith. This afternoon I will go to two banks. I have spoken with all of the lady tellers there about Christ and given them tracts, too. When I grab lunch, I will give a tract to the person who gives me my food. Later today I will go by the gym, and I have given most of the trainers there tracts, too, in addition to sharing with some of the other people working out. This evening I will go by the hardware store and do the same. And I will swing by the park where I regularly minister to the teenagers who hang out there, to whom I give water, food, positive relationships, and share the Bible on a weekly basis.
I take it very seriously that without the knowledge of Jesus Christ and repentance and faith in Him that people will go to Hell. I lived as a false convert for many years, and looking back and realizing that had I died during that time, I would have gone to Hell. I want no one else to be perched on that edge of eternity, and I will do what I can to be an agent of God in sharing His love and grace with them. I do not take this as a game or a notch to be put on my belt, but that souls, each unique and special, will not go to Heaven without the message of Jesus Christ being given to them. And I show the love of Christ through regular acts of charity and kindness, too, as a testimony of my faith.
“However, why do we think that people aren’t sharing the gospel when they do this?”
I’ll be blunt with this one—It’s Saddleback, and based on most of what I have seen come from there, I doubt that a direct Gospel presentation is a part of this effort.
—
CS
Wendi on Tue, February 24, 2009
Nora – I’m with you. I would probably take the groceries to church. It’s not that I’m lazy or really uncomfortable. It’s that I don’t have relationships with people in need of a bag of groceries, except as my church provides me with opportunities to engage with people in need. Our church has an ongoing relationship with two schools in very socioeconomically impacted neighborhoods. Perhaps a better way to distribute the groceries is for the church family to gather to share resources with families they are already in relationship with. Service in community.
CS – you are not disrespectful saying it, but I must admit that the statements about “sharing the gospel” with every single act the church does is so tiring (and I believe, not supported by scripture). Jesus had many, MANY interactions with people when He didn’t tell them to admit their sin and make Him lord of their lives. He makes it very clear that we serve Him when we care for the poor, sick, in prison and disenfranchised. Demonstrating care for physical and social needs IS sharing the gospel, because that is what Jesus told us to do. To reduce the gospel down to a few points about admitting our sinfulness and acknowledging Jesus as savior, diminishes and disrespects Jesus’ redemptive work.
Wendi
CS on Tue, February 24, 2009
Wendi:
“but I must admit that the statements about “sharing the gospel” with every single act the church does is so tiring (and I believe, not supported by scripture).”
Perhaps you have a different interpretation of Mark 16:15 which says, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
“Jesus had many, MANY interactions with people when He didn’t tell them to admit their sin and make Him lord of their lives. “
That’s right. First, he always gave the Law to the proud and Grace to the humble, so he wouldn’t always tell people to admit their sin (James 4:6). And second, He was God in human form, which means that He knew everything about them and exactly what to say; we don’t have that liberty.
“He makes it very clear that we serve Him when we care for the poor, sick, in prison and disenfranchised. Demonstrating care for physical and social needs IS sharing the gospel, because that is what Jesus told us to do.”
Your first statement is right (Matthew 25). Your second statement is wrong, because the Gospel is a message that is shared by words (Romans 10).
“To reduce the gospel down to a few points about admitting our sinfulness and acknowledging Jesus as savior, diminishes and disrespects Jesus’ redemptive work.”
Would you call Paul’s reduction of the Gospel down to a few verses in 1 Corinthians 15 disrespectful?
Here’s my deal: there will be millions who will go to Hell due to their sinfulness, and it is only through the Gospel message being communicated that people will be saved. Why wouldn’t we want to share this fantastic news as much as possible? Why shouldn’t we be sharing the message of eternal life from the rooftops? Could you imagine someone in Hell saying, “Oh, I understand how uncomfortable it would have made you to talk to me directly about God. But, hey, thanks for the free groceries.”?
The most hateful thing a Christian can do is to deliberately not share the Gospel with someone.
—
CS
Dave Z on Tue, February 24, 2009
CS, I admire your passion, and respect your focus, but sometimes it seems as if that focus is pretty narrow, more narrow in fact, than scripture itself. You quote a verse here and there, but I’ve wondered if you are missing the bigger picture. If we look too hard at one particular tree, we lose sight of the rest of the forest. In the episode of the sheep and the goats, the only apparent difference between the groups is their actions, which sound a lot like caring for the needy, or not caring for them. There is no mention of a verbal gospel presentation. And keep in mind Paul’s interaction with the leaders in Jerusalem as related in Gal 2: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
CS on Tue, February 24, 2009
Dave Z:
“In the episode of the sheep and the goats, the only apparent difference between the groups is their actions, which sound a lot like caring for the needy, or not caring for them. There is no mention of a verbal gospel presentation.”
Remember that in my zeal to communicate the Gospel, I also desire that we do acts of goodwill and charity. I am not excluding one act in favor of the other. The Gospel without action can ring like empty words. Action without the Gospel may satisfy earthly needs, but misses the larger spiritual need of salvation. I’m only focusing so hard on the Gospel here because of the absence of it being mentioned by so many of these churches who are engaging in these acts.
That said, while there is no explicit mention of a Gospel presentation here in Matthew 25, there is so much elsewhere of the need to share the Gospel that I cannot see a separation of the two activities, but that they are integrated and intended to be together.
For example, you mentioned Galatians 2, where Paul wanted to get back to the poor. Why? In verses 2 and 7, we see that he has the Gospel to take to the Gentiles. He wants to get out to those poor people with the message of life eternal. Kind of like how Jesus mentioned it was preached to the poor in Matthew 11:5.
—
CS
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