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| SUMMIT PHOTO BY ANDY BUFFINGTON
The praise band at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City draws people in, lifts them up and reassures them God is the answer to all their needs. |
Churches address the needs
Church is nurturing community where physical and spiritual needs are met
By Mary Loden
Of The Summit
In the midst of hard economic times and an uncertain future the church remains a safe haven in times of trouble. It is a place to find peace, it's a community of friends and it's a provider of needs.
“It usually seems to me, in difficult times, people look toward the church. They move to a place where there is hope,” said Pastor Jerry Swanberg of the United Methodist Churches in Forest City and Crystal Lake.
“The church is a lighthouse in the midst of a darkened world, a place to turn when times are tough,” Swanberg said in explanation of why church attendance has been so high and keeps increasing. “The Bible says, ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run to it and are safe.' The church represents the presence of God in the community.”
All churches are meeting this economic crunch time with open arms, providing people with what they have, when they have it.
“To be great in God's kingdom, we need to be a servant of all,” Swanberg said. “I pray we're really true to our calling, serving others for the cause of Christ. If we are faithful to the role we do what we can to meet their needs.”
United Methodist Church supports the Neighborhood Food Bank in Forest City by providing a collection spot for food items and other necessities. Swanberg said they also have the “Clothes Closet” to fill the need of people needing clothing and the church has a discretionary fund to help people meet part of their financial needs.
“We help not just our members, but all people. We're doing some good things, but we need to be strong, especially here on forward,” he said. “Meeting these needs is so important. Many members are experiencing the need in these fragile times.”
“But we can not forget the spiritual needs, this is the most important,” Swanberg said. “We have to be the full Gospel, meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs. If a person is hungry, to meet the need is important. But to not meet the emotional and spiritual - the pain is devastating.”
The little town of Crystal Lake has been hit exceptionally hard by the economic climate with a large portion of its people out of work. “The smaller the community the harder the impact,” Swanberg said. “But attendance at Crystal Lake remains strong. That little church is really close, a solid community of faith.”
As people rely on the church the church relies on its members. “Those we draw strength from are going through it themselves. Still, I see the wanting to serve, to meet needs,” Swanberg said. “This creates an opportunity to be an instrument of his grace. We must not fail him.”
“We forget to act like a community in the best of times. This is our opportunity to understand what community means,” said Pastor Barb Spaulding at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, whose attendance is also up.
“We are helping people towards rent and utilities and we want people to come to Wednesday night meals. If they can't pay they can still eat here,” Spaulding said.
“It is the principal - when you give you are blessed,” she said. She also explained that as a person gives it causes them to re-evaluate the blessings they have been given.
“Community - so many experience this when there is a tornado, flood or wildfires. It is not the situation we have here, but the blessing is just the same. We help the unemployed and needy,” Spaulding said. “People are looking for a community where they find hope, faith and love. In the failure of social institutions people are rediscovering God's faithfulness.”
Pastor Paul Johnson, Interim pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Britt, knows that many people are carrying around a heavy burden these days but he trusts the Lord can meet the answers. “Turn to the Lord and ask for His direction. He holds our hands and we trust Him, Johnson said. “The Lord will take care of us through these times. We need to keep our eyes upon Him, He hasn't failed us yet.”
Father Henry Huber, pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Forest City and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, said, “the church is the focus of charity, a place where they can come when they need assistance,” he said, speaking of his parishioners and other community members who need assistance.
“This is a place of compassion when everything else falls apart,” Huber said. As in other churches the number of people willing to give more has increased. “Those who can - give. Those who need - receive,” he said.
“As Christians, being thankful is part and parcel of who we are and what we do. Sadly, things are taken for granted until they are lost,” Huber said. “We have so much in this country to be thankful for. It would be wise to call to mind the things we should be thankful for everyday.”
Story created Nov 25, 2008 - 14:48:40 CST.
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