What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty
Author: Ruby K. Payne and Bill Ehlig
Churches often are perceived as open, welcoming environments, and many times that's true. But congregations, without even
realizing it, sometimes make themselves inhospitable to people from poverty. For those situations, Dr. Ruby K. Payne and Bill
Ehlig wrote What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty.
Many church folks genuinely want to be available to those experiencing poverty in their communities. However, churches and
synagogues often are operated with a middle-class mentality. This middle-class mode of thought makes it difficult for those from
poverty to assimilate into the congregation. In this new book, Ruby, a national expert on poverty, and Bill, an ordained minister,
use stories to help illustrate the way people from poverty view middle-class churches. They then provide solutions and tactics to
teach church members and leaders some of the special considerations that can be afforded the disadvantaged.
For example, the book explains that members of the congregation need to reach out to those poverty-stricken individuals who
are attending their services, along with prospective attendees. The congregation needs to do this in a way that mutual respect
is developed instead of a sense of charity. If all individuals are allowed to contribute to, as well as receive the benefits of membership,
an equal relationship can be created and a welcoming environment fostered.
What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty is a must-read for pastors, ministers, church councils, and other
religious decision-making bodies. As more churches around the country engage in urban ministries, the information in
What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty becomes even more significant and relevant.