Sometimes church members arrange help among themselves and then collect goods or groceries themselves, without the diaconate knowing.'
This was one of the responses to our survey of diaconates, in which we asked what they notice about inflation in their congregations and how they deal with it as a diaconate. How beautiful is this! Perhaps you could say that this is diaconate pur sang. Shaping the love of neighbour from the love of Christ. You don't necessarily need an organisation for that. Nor is this the mission of the deacon alone. It is the vocation of every believer. And we may see that it works even in these times of inflation and increased poverty.
The survey shows a great willingness of diaconates to help people who are in a pinch due to inflation. Two things stand out in this regard. Firstly, almost without exception, deaconesses indicated that they are not yet confronted with households that can no longer make financial ends meet. Secondly, that deaconesses are very much looking for a guideline or framework to assess financial aid requests.
Signs of money worries
As for the former, we know that most people do not like to come out with their (financial) worries. It is therefore important to be alert in the congregation to signs that may indicate financial distress. Like, for example, not going on holiday anymore, not letting children attend youth camp or not responding to messages. Of course, it then requires tact and wisdom to start the conversation based on these signals. The basic attitude in this should always be genuine interest in the other person as a person and not in his or her circumstances.
Guide to diaconal support for financial hardship and poverty
We have responded to the need for a guideline by offering a handbook on diaconal support for financial difficulties and poverty. This guide has been sent to all diaconates but can also be downloaded from the theme page financial support.
Poverty is an aspect of the reality in which we live. We may have become accustomed to it being mainly a reality outside our national borders. But poverty also exists in our Dutch society. In this respect, Deuteronomy 15:11 also applies to us: 'The poor will always be with you.' But it does not end as some kind of inescapable conclusion. It is about the sequel: 'Therefore I command you to be generous to everyone in your land who lives in poverty or is in poor condition.' An ancient command that is extremely timely!
