Is Your Church Accessible to the Materially Poor? Step 1 of 3 - Cultural 33% CulturalDoes your church use worship songs, prayer, or Bible study in languages besides English?* We intentionally integrate non-English prayer, worship, and Bible study into our church life. We only use English. Occasionally, someone will pray or worship in a language besides English. Does your church offer translation services for the sermon?* We do not have the ability or need for translation services at this time. We intentionally include translation in sermons to communicate to and value the heart languages of people of other cultures. Occasionally, someone will translate if necessary. During current events, does your church mention social justice issues affecting people of color?* Occasionally, someone will mention current events where people of color are marginalized and our church will mourn and cry out to the Lord for justice and mercy. We intentionally call out, cry to the Lord, and mourn in solidarity with and for people of color in our church community. We mourn when any life is taken, but we don’t bring these issues up in church. EconomicDoes your church offer financial assistance or counseling to those in economic need?* We intentionally include benevolence and financial education/counseling as part of our ministry to those in financial crisis. Occasionally, we will offer assistance with rent or bills, or one-on-one counseling for those in financial crisis. We do not have the ability and/or need to offer any kind of assistance. Is your church in physical proximity (2 miles or less) to low-income residents?* We have some low-income residents in our area, but the majority cannot afford to live in this area. Public transit options are somewhat reliable. We are not in physical proximity to low-income residents/I don’t know. We are located in a low-income area where many low-income residents can walk, bike, or easily use public transit to come to our church. Do the (often unspoken) rules of dress code welcome people who are poor to attend your church?* Although we have formalities, dress code is casual and would allow for most people to attend comfortably – even if they can’t afford nice dress. Someone smelling of cigarette smoke or unwashed clothing could participate in our worship service without feeling judgment or shame. Our dress code is formal and meant to communicate respect, but might isolate people without resources. Think about how poverty is viewed in your church - anywhere from the pulpit to discussion in the parking lot. How is poverty usually talked about?* Often people who are poor have broken family lives; they also live in a sinful society that doesn’t promote life, and many find themselves in trapped into making poor choices. People who are poor often live sinful lifestyles and lack knowledge and education that would give them better options. The realities of people who are poor seem to be a complicated mess of poor decisions and broken societal structures. IntellectualIs the level of language used in your church’s sermons, prayers, and Bible translation versions simple enough for someone with a 5th grade level of literacy?* Yes, we intentionally use simple, concrete language in order to be accessible to people at all levels of literacy. While many theological concepts discussed are complex, we often use laymen’s terms to describe them. No, we often use complex theological words and abstract conceptual language to describe the spiritual life and relationship with God. Does the speed of liturgy and Bible reading in your church include people who cannot read well, do not know the Bible, or who speak English as a second language?* Sometimes. Although readings feel rushed at times, we make a point to accommodate these realities. Honestly, probably not. If our church were held in my second language, I could not follow the readings at the tempo we use. Honestly, yes. We intentionally work to slow and simplify the reading, while retaining depth and meaning. Do the illustrations used in sermons, announcements resonate with the realities of low-income people?* Honestly, probably not. Many illustrations are about getting your first car and drivers license, going off to college, or waiting in line at a coffee shop—realities that most low-income people cannot relate to. We work to include illustrations about things like working for minimum wage in restaurant kitchens, tenant farming, or scrapping metal/selling plasma for extra money—realities that many low-income people relate to. While some illustrations are aimed at the middle class, we also hear others that resonate with low-income listeners. HiddenTotalCAPTCHAEmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ
