Helping Hand Policy Handbook.pdf

Benevolence Handbook: Why, How, When, For Whom

Our Handbook seeks to document the following areas:

1. Who Are We:
1.1. Purpose
1.2. History
1.3. Overview: What Might Help Look Like
1.4. Helping Hand Funding
1.5. Helping Hand Financial Balance
1.6. How We Relate to the Global Diaconate
1.7. Committee Members
1.8. Reaching the Helping Hand
1.9. Flexibility, Adaptation, Improvement

2. Whom Do We Serve:
2.1. Serving the Body
2.2. Serving our Church Staff
2.3. Serving our Neighbors from the Downtown Campus
2.4. Serving our Neighbors from the North Campus
2.5. Serving Undocumented Workers/Illegal Aliens
2.6. Serving our Church Plants
2.7. What are Primary Needs
2.8. Confidentiality
2.9. Policy Exceptions

3. Financial Assistance:
3.1. When We Will Help Financially
3.2. Time Line for Financial Assistance
3.3. To Whom We Will Write Checks
3.4. Giving Gifts or Loans
3.5. Ongoing Financial Assistance
3.6. Assistance Outside an Urgent Need
3.7. Payments toward Debt
3.8. Bankruptcy
3.9. Scholarships
3.10. Psychological Counseling
3.11. Psychological Counseling for BBC Missionaries
3.12. Security Deposits
3.13. Adoption Assistance
3.14. Assistance Cap
3.15. Mortgage Assistance

4. Financial Counseling:
4.1. When We Will Provide Financial Counseling
4.2. What We Will Provide
4.3. Financial Counselors
4.4. Financial Accountability Partners
4.5. Helpful Resources

5. Other Services:
5.1. Financial Seminars
5.2. Thanksgiving Food Drive
5.3. March Food Shelf Offering

6. Giving to the Helping Hand:
6.1. How Can Someone Give Financially
6.2. When is a Financial Gift Tax Deductible
6.3. Designated Giving
6.4. How Else Can Individuals Help

7. Internal Workings:
7.1. Who Can Join the Helping Hand Committee
7.2. How To Join the Helping Hand Committee
7.3. How Often the Helping Hand Committee Meets
7.4. Chairman Responsibilities
7.5. Treasurer Responsibilities
7.6. Intake Assistant Responsibilities
7.7. Adjunct Partner Responsibilities
7.8. Making Decisions on Assistance
7.9. How to Move Forward with a Request
7.10. Request Histories & the Chairman's Report
7.11. Helping Hand Interview Form
7.12. Our Relationship with CES

8. Appendixes (these resources are available only in the PDF above):
A. Helping Hand Interview Form
B. Community Emergency Services/Jeff Noyed Referral Form
C. Community Resources near BBC Downtown
D. Mounds View Referral Form
E. Ad for North Campus Car Repair Assistance Program
F. North Campus Receptionist Questions for Car Repair Assistance Program
G. Guidelines for Financial Counselors
H. Biblical Teaching Concerning Money
I. Why Money Matters
J. Income . Taxes . Tithe = Savings + Lifestyle + Generous Giving
K. Making the Most out of Having an Accountability Partner
L. Seminar Overview
M. Helping Hand Fund Chairman.s Summary Report
N. Helping Hand Intake Survey

Who Are We:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38-39

1.1. Purpose

The Helping Hand Committee seeks to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples by . . .

• permitting the people of Bethlehem to express love and care for their brothers and sisters and neighbors facing hardship
• giving members of Bethlehem access to teaching, training and support for managing their personal resources as good stewards of what God has entrusted to them, in the most responsible, God-glorifying way
• recognizing that God is the provider of all that we need, the Committee will handle God’s resources within Bethlehem and the community to ensure that the primary (essential) needs of every member are met; assistance may also be extended to regular attenders and church “neighbors”
• ministering in such a way that Bethlehem is known by those inside and outside our fellowship as a discerning, yet caring, compassionate and responsive congregation

1.2. History

Bethlehem Baptist Church was organized in 1871 as the First Swedish Baptist Church of Minneapolis. The benevolence ministry has existed almost since our beginning, birthed out of the Biblical understanding that we are to meet the basic needs of our people, and to share the love and mercy of Jesus. Over the years we have helped thousands of people: Swedish immigrants, newly arrived in the country without shelter or food; candy and encouragement to servicemen overseas, as well as assistance for their families; financial support during the unforeseen severe providences so many face; the love of Christ extended to our near neighbors in need; unexpected gifts of encouragement to families with ongoing financial hardships; mentoring, accountability and Biblical training for those needing such services; church-wide projects to stock local food shelves; or delivering Christmas cookies to those who are no longer able to join us at church. From a modest beginning the fund has grown steadily until recently over $100,000 was given, in Jesus’ name, in one year.

1.3. Overview: What Might Help Look Like

The Helping Hand’s purpose (see 1.1) is broad, and as such we strive to have a broad means of fulfilling this call. If done well, our ministry will be as diverse as the people we serve. An overview of what help might look like for an individual will give a glimpse into the types of assistance offered, and will help to inform expectations.

• When church members approach the Helping Hand (see 1.6) for assistance they will be:
  • welcomed, set at ease, and prayed with
  • told of the Helping Hand’s purpose and approach
  • if the need is greater than $500 or is recurring, asked to fill out an Intake Survey to help Helping Hand members have a more complete understanding of the causes of the financial struggle (See Appendix N)
  • interviewed in such a way that the Helping Hand member can build on the Intake Form to begin to get a better understanding of the situation behind the obvious need presented
  • told that despite their probable perceived highest priority of finding resolution for a particular need, the Helping Hand Committee’s highest priority will be to uncover the root of the problem, and to try to determine the best long-term solution. This could include spiritual or financial counseling, elder intervention, ongoing accountability, job search or career training, as well as or instead of financial assistance
  • told that due to the high volume of requests coming to the Committee, and to church check request procedures they should generally not expect to hear how their request will be resolved for two weeks, with possible exceptions for emergencies
  • urged to contact all creditors to give an honest update about their liabilities and their ability to pay, and to talk about resolution possibilities
• While the congregational member is waiting to hear back from the Committee’s Intake Assistant, the following activities will probably be happening:
  • Intake Assistant will be seeking discernment for how best to move forward
  • Intake Assistant will then write up a Helping Hand Interview Form (see Appendix A) to email to the full Committee with a recommendation for action. They will then wait for input, and ultimately for approval
  • Intake Assistant may begin pursuing the individual components which will make up the assistance offered, e. g. researching government assistance programs and church resources
• Once a request has been approved, the Intake Assistant will:
  • request for the check to be cut
  • pursue any other means the Committee has determined might be helpful for the individual (e.g. pastoral counseling, financial counseling, job search assistance, accountability, etc.)
• Individuals may also contact the Committee on behalf of others outside the church (see 1.6). In these cases individuals will most likely be referred to Jeff Noyed (Downtown Campus) or the North Neighborhood Outreach Intern (North Campus). These are the Committee’s Neighborhood Benevolence contacts. They will begin the process outlined above.

1.4. Helping Hand Funding

The Helping Hand Fund is not a part of Bethlehem’s operating budget. Any money received by the fund is over and above that donated for the regular expenses of the church. God often provides for the fund through a monthly retiring offering taken at communion services, and through quarterly Helping Hand envelopes distributed with regular giving envelopes, as well as through individuals giving toward a specifically known need. See 6.2 for information about tax deductions. Money donated to the fund will be used to help members of the church with primary (essential) needs. Assistance may also be given to regular attenders and church “neighbors”. A small percentage of the funds given are used for administrative costs.

1.5. Helping Hand Financial Balance

Unlike most accounts at church, the Helping Hand financial balance is carried forward from year to year. Having a balance allows us to respond more generously to those coming to us with significant needs. At the same time we do not want our balance to communicate that we are not willing to part with the money God provides by helping those in need or that we do not have needs in our body. When the balance gets high Committee members must become all the more creative and resolute to seek-out and meet the needs of our body and those of our neighbors.

1.6. How We Relate to the Global Diaconate

Like the Helping Hand Committee, the Global Diaconate collects money from the congregation outside of our regular church budget. However, their scope of ministry differs from ours in that we focus primarily on meeting the primary personal needs for families inside the church (members & regular attenders), with some exceptions for neighbors, while they focus exclusively outside the church to a world in need (crisis and disaster help to the poorest of the poor & those suffering). Before the Global Diaconate began the church responded to these global crises by allowing/asking the Helping Hand to give one of their retiring offerings to the need. We may yet rarely do so again, when a need is very significant. However, generally giving to the Global Diaconate has replaced such giving in that we don.t want to circumvent the Treasuring Christ Together plan of giving (80% to church expansion, 10% to church planting, 10% to Global Diaconate). Those in the congregation wishing to know more about how to give beyond the Global Diaconate will receive such information on our web site.

1.7. Committee Members (as of November 2010):

• Joe Krekelberg, Chairman & Treasurer
• Dan Lehn, Elder Oversight
• David Livingston, Pastoral Oversight
• Joby Morgan, Staff Liaison
• Jeff Noyed, Neighborhood Benevolence
• Mike Smetak

Adjunct Partners:

• Scott Anderson, Say YES Contact
• Bridget Kanadjian, Career Counselor
• Larry Jeddeloh, Financial Counselor
• Dave Laurion, Financial Counselor
• Colleen Lehn, Financial Counselor
• Allison Romano, Financial Counselor
• Marshall Segal, North Campus Neighborhood Outreach Intern

1.8. Reaching the Helping Hand

Bethlehem.s congregation is welcome to contact our Intake Assistant by telephone (see the church directory), or by calling the church office.

1.9. Flexibility, Adaptation, Improvement

Bethlehem is a growing church in a changing neighborhood, multiplying to an increasing number of campuses. This demands that the Helping Hand Committee remain flexible, be open to adaptation, and constantly look for ways to improve our ministry.

2.  Whom Do We Serve:

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

2.1. Serving the Body

The Helping Hand was created primarily to consider the needs of members of the church. The Committee also works with regular attenders, along with neighbors and others being ministered to by church members. Ordinarily, the stronger one’s association with the church, the stronger the Helping Hand’s commitment to see that a particular primary need is met.

When working with those who are not listed in the church database but who claim to be part of the church, our Helping Hand Intake Assistant will ask enough questions to realistically discern the accuracy of the needs being presented. At the same time, members want to treat those calling for assistance with respect, erring on the side of generosity over suspicion.

2.2. Serving our Church Staff

If financial assistance is given to an employee of our church or to a member of an employee's family then a W-2 must be issued as well.

2.3. Serving our Neighbors from the Downtown Campus

The Helping Hand aims to minister in such a way that Bethlehem be known by those inside and outside our fellowship as a discerning, yet caring, compassionate, and responsive congregation. We want to use the resources God has given us to woo the unsaved and to introduce them to the love of Christ.

Jeff Noyed is the Committee.s Neighborhood Benevolence member. On behalf of the Committee he meets with all .neighbors. or .walk-ins. to the downtown campus requesting financial help from the church. The reasons for making Jeff the .point person. for neighbors are:

• Jeff's knowledge of various governmental and non-governmental agencies able to provide services to the community.
• Jeff's extensive network within the neighborhoods around the church. He will have history with many of the people who approach us with needs.
• Jeff's genuine heart for serving the poor and needy in Jesus. name.

Neighbors coming in to the downtown church office will be referred to our pastoral staff. The pastor will interview the individual to find out exactly what is needed. Once the pastor has ministered to any spiritual needs he will then fill out a CES Referral Form (see Appendix B), keeping in mind the following helpful guidelines, written by David Michael:

• God may put people in your path because He wants to touch them in a significant way through you. Remember Peter and John confronting the lame man on their way into the temple in Acts 3. All the lame man wanted was a little money, but in the power of the Holy Spirit Peter said, .I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene.Walk!.
• Using CES Referral forms is not only helpful in making good referrals, but it also communicates to an individual that the church is in fact helping them. Even if you do not feel a written referral is necessary, keep in mind that even if it is just a piece of paper, the person is less likely to feel they have been turned away.
• Quite often when referring a walk-in to CES the individual will say that they have already been there and could not get any help. If this is the case, call CES or explain to the person that Jeff Noyed handles these requests for the church as well as CES. Jeff will then consider the request on our behalf.
• A very common technique used by gifted con artists is to show up at churches when no other community services are available and usually at the most inconvenient time. Often there is a very elaborate and sometimes contradictory story which makes it very clear that the person cannot possibly wait another minute for help. As a general rule, stay in control and never respond under pressure. Do whatever can be done to give yourself some time, even if you have to say .Come back in an hour and I.ll let you know.. If you are in the middle of something, make an appointment with the person for the next day. The con artists that show up at Bethlehem will usually not come back.
• When interviewing neighbors who are asking for help, try to let them know exactly what you will do for them early in the conversation. Remember that many .outsiders. who ask for help from the church do not view the church as a place to go for spiritual help and support. In their eyes, the church is a type of social service agency to call on when no one else will help. Sometimes, the spiritual interest that a person may have lasts only as long as it takes to find out if help will be available. If you make it clear what you will do in the beginning, and the spiritual hunger is still there, it is likely to be a genuine interest.
• If a person is mentally ill and you suspect they may be living in an institution, try to find out where they live and get permission to talk to a social worker. Often they can provide helpful insights into the person.s needs. Most of the people in this category are likely to be from the Andrew Residence which is a .Board and Care. facility in our neighborhood. The phone number at Andrew is 333-0111.
• First Call for Help (211) is answered 24 hours a day and they should be able to assist you if further help is needed.

For those pastors wishing to offer our neighbors in need other resources beyond Jeff Noyed's ministry through Helping Hand and Community Emergency Services, please see Appendix C for a helpful list of neighborhood services.

The Committee may consider serving the neighbors of church members when the member brings the need to our attention and explains the potential impact a gift will have on the witness of Christ to this person. The Committee will consider the current involvement this neighbor has with the church and the impact the gift is likely to have in displaying the compassion of Christ to this person.

2.4. Serving our Neighbors from the North Campus

The Helping Hand aims to minister from our north campus in a way that glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ and draws people to Himself. Like the downtown campus, neighbors coming in to the north campus church office will be referred to our pastoral staff. If pastors are not available the individual should be asked to call back at a later time to make an appointment for spiritual assistance and a possible referral to an area agency which may consider how their need be best met. If a pastor is available, he will interview the individual to find out exactly what is needed. Once the pastor has ministered to any spiritual needs he will then fill out a Mounds View Referral Form (see Appendix D), keeping in mind the helpful guidelines listed in 2.3. If, when referring a walk-in to area resources, the individual says that they have already been there and could not get any help, pastors will need to make a judgment call. They can:

• explain that at this time we are not able to help with this financial need
• call one of the agencies listed on the referral form to inquire if further assistance is possible
• if the circumstances seem extreme he may ask the individual to call Jeff Noyed or Wesley Hill (Bethlehem TBI CES Apprentice) at CES (612-870-1135). This option should be used sparingly.

It should be noted that referring walk-ins to Mounds View area resources is not the same as referring folks to Jeff at CES. Referring folks to Jeff as CES is referring them to a Helping Hand Committee member with access to Helping Hand money. Referring them to Mounds View area resources is sending them away from direct church financial assistance.

The Helping Hand does desire to use Bethlehem resources to assist north campus walk-ins. However, since the campus is new, the staff is limited, and Jeff Noyed is a great distance away the Committee felt it prudent to limit the help we will initially offer. Seeing that public transportation is limited Jeff Noyed recommended that we begin a car repair assistance program for Mounds View residents. We will advertise this assistance through CEAP and the Ralph R. Reeder Food Shelf (see Appendix E). Assistance will be limited to

• Mounds View residents or the neighbors of north campus attenders
• those with proof of car insurance
• those with estimates of the work needed by Victory Auto Service or 35W Automotive
• one time assistance of no more than $200

Those seeking car repair money will need to make an appointment through the north campus receptionists (see Appendix F) to meet with Wesley Hill (Bethlehem TBI CES Apprentice). Currently he is available on Wednesdays at 10 am and 11 am.

2.5. Serving Undocumented Workers/Illegal Aliens

Recognizing that we’re all aliens in this world, we agreed that though we want to be aware of the issue, we want more to treat these folks like the others we service – with dignity and respect and love and compassion. In addition to prayerfully considering how we should meet their financial need, we will direct these folks to Centro Cultural Chicano who may be able to help work on their status.

2.6. Serving our Church Plants

Our church mission statement begins with “spreading”. The Helping Hand Committee wants to spread it’s ministry by prayerfully considering giving all Bethlehem church plants an appropriate gift (typically around $5000) to help them begin their own benevolence ministry. This decision will be made on a case by case basis, taking into account the church plant’s desire to create such a ministry and if our financial balance at the time of the plant will allow for such a large gift.

2.7. What are Primary (Essential) Needs

Recognizing that God is the provider of all that we need, the Committee strives to handle God’s resources within Bethlehem and the community to insure that the primary (essential) needs of every member are met. Primary (essential) needs are those necessary for physical, emotional, and spiritual survival: food, shelter, clothing, transportation, counseling, etc. The more primary (essential) the need, the more likely the Helping Hand will consider the need. Note that we generally include the resources that are needed to gain or hold employment as primary (essential). Very rarely will the Committee even consider assisting individuals with other types of financial needs.

2.8. Confidentiality

Members of the Helping Hand Committee covenant together at the beginning of each year to hold in strict confidence any personal information coming to them through Committee interaction. Information will not be shared beyond the bounds of the Committee except when it is deemed necessary for the physical or spiritual welfare of the individual or another person related to the situation.

2.9. Policy Exceptions

Helping Hand Committee members have developed good policies for good reasons over years of ministry, and believe them to be sound and helpful. They also recognize that our purpose is broad and that the needs presented are diverse. From time to time the Committee may agree that the best help we can offer may fall outside of our typical policies. The full Committee must be in agreement for such exceptions.

3.  Financial Assistance:

You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, .It is more blessed to give than to receive.. Act 20:34-35

3.1. When We Will Help Financially

Monetary help will normally be given for specific needs rather than for ongoing general needs. The Committee will consider the following criteria in helping financially:

• The individual has a relationship to the church. (This will be taken into account, but will not be the sole deciding factor in whether help will be extended.)
• The individual has a demonstrated need.
• The individual is unable to earn sufficient funds to support all his needs.
• The individual.s family resources are not available or sufficient.
• Government assistance is not available or sufficient.
• The individual has used his personal resources until they are relatively exhausted. (The Committee may consider all reasonable factors in determining whether this factor is met. People should not be left totally destitute before they are eligible. For example, keeping a vehicle, medically necessary equipment, household furnishings, etc. would be acceptable. Other assets, including a reasonable personal financial cushion,. should be considered on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Committee.)
• The individual has demonstrated that he can make thoughtful decisions about his resources. If not, Biblical financial counseling will be a prerequisite before receiving any financial help.

3.2. Time Line for Financial Assistance

It is exceptionally rare for the Helping Hand to be contacted by an individual not feeling that their need requires urgent attention. Many are hoping to have a check in hand within hours. However, due to the high volume of requests coming to the Committee, and to church check request procedures callers are told up front that they should generally not expect to hear how their request will be resolved for up to two weeks.

3.3. To Whom We Will Write Checks

For Committee accountability, as well as the individual receiving assistance, Helping Hand checks will only be made out to the final recipient of the finances. That is to say, checks will made out to meet the specific need, not to provide undesignated cash. They will not be made out to the individual requesting assistance. Individuals who pay for their primary needs using direct bill payment options must give written evidence of the direct bill payment before reimbursement will be directed to an individual.s credit card or checking account. At times, we will reimburse pastors, Committee members, or church members who provide help consistent with the policies of the Helping Hand Committee, usually on an emergency basis. The committee does not encourage this practice and the person providing the assistance will need to understand that these requests for reimbursement will not necessarily be approved.

3.4. Giving Gifts or Loans

The Helping Hand does not grant loans. We believe this practice would create an unhealthy barrier in the relationship of the individual and the church. When assistance is offered it is a gift and therefore without any expectation of repayment. Individuals wishing to reimburse the fund may do so at their own discretion, but only God and the Church Financial Secretary will know of the gift.

3.5. Ongoing Financial Assistance

The Helping Hand should not be viewed as a means to meet an ongoing chronic financial need. The Committee is able to respond only to occasional needs. The Committee will work to counsel individuals on meeting ongoing long-term needs.

3.6. Assistance Outside an Urgent Need

Occasionally the Helping Hand Committee will become aware of a family whose primary income has been interrupted for a significant period of time, but whose financial stability is not immediately threatened. When that family, or others on their behalf, contacts the Committee to alert us to a possible future threat, the Committee will respond by praying with them, thanking them for their wise future planning, set up a schedule to check back at a future date to insure that they continue to do well financially, and consider giving an modist sized gift to bless and encourage them.

3.7. Payments Toward Debt

Entering into debt is a serious decision and individuals should heed Biblical warnings (Proverbs 22:7, Hebrews 13:5). The Helping Hand Committee discourages most debt and normally avoids making payments on debt load, particularly credit card debt.

3.8. Bankruptcy

The Helping Hand does not recommend or encourage bankruptcy. We do, however, recognize that there may be very unusual circumstances that may require bankruptcy. In those cases we will recommend that the entire debt be paid back eventually, even if the courts forgive a portion of the debt. In general, we treat bankruptcy payments like credit card payments and decline to contribute toward them.

3.9. Scholarships

In the past, various departments of the church have approached the Helping Hand Committee when they have desired to give scholarships for retreats or other events but have lacked the funds. Since scholarships do not generally meet the criterion of being a primary need, we encourage the various ministries to pursue scholarship money through other means. We recognize that at times the spiritual and emotional benefits of a particular event may fit a primary need, and then we may be willing to assist with meeting a part of that unusual need.

3.10. Psychological Counseling

To the extent that an individual is unable to do so himself, the Helping Hand will automatically cover the cost of an individual.s first three psychological counseling sessions, provided that

1.  there is a financial barrier to the individual pursuing counseling,
2.  the counseling is deemed critical by a BBC pastor, and
3.  the counselor is approved by a BBC pastor.

If the Committee does not cover the full cost of the first three sessions then we will consider paying a portion of each subsequent counseling appointment for a limited season of time.

3.11. Psychological Counseling for BBC Missionaries

If a BBC missionary or their child has a need for counseling but cannot afford to pay for it then they, just like all other members of the church, should contact the Helping Hand to seek assistance. The Helping Hand will consider their need just as we would any other member. If the missionary or their child exhausts the amount of help the Helping Hand will give but has a need for additional counseling then they should approach the World Missions Committee who will determine if money from the Missionary Care line of the church budget is available.

3.12. Security Deposits

If the Helping Hand provides money for a security deposit then we require that the money comes back to us when the individual moves.

3.13. Adoption Assistance

The Helping Hand Committee recognizes that adoptions are complicated and that they require great consideration and expertise. We recognize that we are in no way qualified to determine who is fit for adoption and therefore to offer traditional adoption grants. We do, however, want to encourage adoptive families and make it clear that the church believes in and encourages adoption. The Helping Hand Committee.s involvement in adoptions will be limited to:

1. make clear that any financial assistance we offer is not automatic; it is rather based on a family.s entire financial picture. That is, we will not automatically assist a family involved in adoption. We will prayerfully consider assisting a family financially if that family has a documented financial need beyond what they are able to meet through savings, family assistance, grants and gifts from adoptive organizations, and reasonable short-term debt management.
2. only offering financial assistance to those who have been approved through a qualified agency and who have pastoral endorsement from one of our pastors.
3. gifts will not be given beyond $1000.
4. we can respond only to concrete bills. Most adoptive families feel urgency. This is a common crisis and we cannot respond to emotional panic.

3.14. Assistance Cap

The Committee has considered putting a cap on financial gifts given, particularly to those who are not members of the church. However, for the time being we have decided to review each request on a case-by-case basis.

3.15. Mortgage Assistance

The Committee will prayerfully consider mortgage assistance to individuals under the following circumstances:

1. they are members or regular attenders of the church.
2. they are not in danger of losing their home to foreclosure (mortgage assistance is just the biggest need they have this month and we agree they need the financial help).
3. we will not help with mortgage requests more than 3 times in a 12 month period.
      OR
4. they are in danger of losing their home OR we have already helped 3 times in the last 12 months, but they spoke with Dan Lehn and he is requesting that an exception be made.

4.  Financial Counseling: 

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world.s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God.s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in words or talk but in deeds and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

4.1. When We Will Provide Financial Counseling

As God supplies the resources, the Helping Hand Committee will strive to provide appropriate financial counseling to any member of the church requesting such assistance or for whom we feel it is necessary. Counseling may vary from one or two meetings to a more ongoing relationship.

Ongoing relationships should be reviewed on a 6 month basis to determine if the assistance is meeting the need and should continue to be offered.

4.2. What We Will Provide

In brief, we counsel that

• God owns everything and we are only stewards of the resources he has given to us (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
• God gives and knows what.s best for us (Matthew 7:11)
• Tithing serves only as the training wheels of giving and can be augmented by generous giving which yield eternal rewards (Malachi 3:7-11, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
• Entering into debt is a serious decision and individuals should heed the Biblical warnings against it (Proverbs 22:7; Hebrews 13:5)
• Budgeting is a tool toward good stewardship

4.3. Financial Counselors

The Helping Hand will thoroughly interview and test any individual showing a desire to assist the Committee by providing financial counseling to those needing such assistance. The full Committee must know and endorse an individual before his counseling ministry is underway. The criteria will included a view of biblical finances consistent with those of the Committee, a giftedness in financial counseling, and proper training (e.g. Crown Financial Ministries Bible Study, Soul Care training). See Appendixes G through J for additional information and helpful resources.

4.4. Financial Accountability Partners

At times individuals show a need for ongoing, concerted accountability. At these times the Helping Hand will seek to provide an accountability partner to work along side the financial counselor. See Appendix K.

4.5. Helpful Resources

See Appendix G though K.

5. Other Services: 

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, .You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.. Mark 10:42-45

5.1. Financial Seminars

Occasionally the Helping Hand will offer, often in conjunction with another church ministry, church-wide financial seminars. These are advertised though the church newsletter. We also will offer seminars to targeted groups of individuals. For example, the Committee has sponsored individuals to teach biblical finances to the Pre-Married Sunday School Class. See Appendix L for a sample seminar outline.

5.2. Thanksgiving Food Drive

Every year the Helping Hand hosts a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Grocery bags are labeled with the needs of a food shelf and handed out to church attenders two weekends before Thanksgiving. They are then collected the following weekend, weighed and given to area food shelves. Food collected at the downtown campus is given to CES. Food collected at the north campus is given to the Ralph R. Reeder Food Shelf. Monetary gifts are also accepted and made available to CES/Ralph R. Reeder.

5.3. March Food Shelf Offering

Each March (Minnesota Food Share Month) the Helping Hand Retiring Offering collected at the downtown campus is given to Community Emergency Services. They use the money to purchase food through Second Harvest which allows them to purchase food for pennies on the dollar. The north campus will also take an offering for .North Campus Mercy Ministry. and that money will go toward the Car Repair Program. It should be noted that this is not the only money Helping Hand makes available to the Car Repair Program. This offering just supplements our ongoing support and helps to insure the program.s longevity.

6.  Giving to the Helping Hand:

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belonging and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45

6.1. How Can Someone Give Financially

Donations may be made by

• Calling the church office and making arrangements for a donation
• Writing a check to Bethlehem Baptist Church with a note designating it for the Helping Hand and mailing it to the church office
• Designating some amount of your gift on the standard giving envelope
• Using the quarterly special Helping Hand giving envelopes
• Contributing during the monthly communion weekend retiring offering

6.2. When is a Financial Gift Tax Deductible

A financial gift given to the Helping Hand without any further designation for how that money is to be spent is eligible for tax deduction. According to the IRS, gifts specified to meet a particular need are not eligible for tax deduction.

6.3. Designated Giving

Individuals may designate their contributions to this fund to be used to meet a specific need. However, the Committee, under the direction of the elders, retains the ultimate authority to designate how any fund is disbursed. In this case, the individual will not receive a tax-deductible receipt from the church.

6.4. How Else Can Individuals Help

By praying for everyone involved in the benevolence process:

• Pray for the applicants:
  • for faith that God will provide for their needs
  • that they will be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them
  • that they will feel supported and encouraged as they apply for assistance
• Pray for the Committee:
  • for discernment and wisdom regarding the collection, distribution, and proper management of the money contributed
  • for unity and productivity throughout the benevolence process
  • for the Lord.s mind and discernment about the best way to meet a particular need
• Pray for the congregation:
  • for the Helping Hand to encourage a spirit of compassion, generosity, and caring for those in need

7. Internal Workings:

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

7.1. Who Can Join the Helping Hand Committee

Members in good standing may seek Committee endorsement and then elder approval to join.

7.2. How To Join the Helping Hand Committee

Interested church members should call the Chairman of the Helping Hand Committee or the church office to discuss why they are interested in joining the Committee, and what contribution they would like to make. If the Chairman approves of a candidate he will bring the nomination to the greater Committee. Once an individual has Committee support the Helping Hand will bring the Committee.s recommendation to the elder counsel for endorsement.

7.3. How Often the Helping Hand Committee Meets

Quarterly meetings, with other meetings scheduled on an as needed basis.

7.4. Chairman Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for quarterly meetings
• Set the tone spiritually at our quarterly meetings
• Independent approval for financial requests under $200

7.5. Treasurer Responsibilities

• Work with the BBC Accounting Office to prepare reports on the financial condition of the Helping Hand Fund for the quarterly meetings.
• Reconcile the financial records to the Chairman.s Report summary.

7.6. Intake Assistant Responsibilities

• Be available, by phone or in person, to members and regular attenders contacting the church for financial assistance or counseling.
• Respond to all requests within 24 hours of receiving the request.
• Welcome, set at ease, and pray with each contact.
• Be able to state the Helping Hand’s purpose and approach to ministry.
• Interview callers to gain a full understanding of the need, using the appropriate Helping Hand tools and procedures.
• Summarize each request for the full Helping Hand Committee, making a recommendation on their response.
• Follow through with all contacts once the Helping Hand Committee votes on their response.
• See that the church accounting department has all necessary paperwork to process check requests.
• Keep careful records, paper and electronic, of all requests.
• Discern the need for other forms of assistance – financial counseling, career counseling, pastoral counseling, etc.

7.7. Adjunct Partners

An Adjunct Partner is one who serves the Helping Hand Committee in a limited, specific capacity. That individual does not attend committee meetings or vote on specific cases, and is not privy to confidential information about those we are helping. When an Adjunct Partner is offering financial counseling they meet with specific individuals for a specified period of time. When an Adjunct Partner is involved in benevolence they interview prospective people in need, fill out our Interview Form (see Appendix A), email the completed Interview Forms to the full Committee and await Committee recommendation.

7.8. Making Decision on Assistance

Financial requests coming to the Committee need the following approval:

• Any Committee member can approve a request for $50 or less without Committee consent
• The Chairman can approve a request for $200 or less without Committee consent
• Requests for assistance for the first three psychological counseling sessions can be approved automatically, provided the counselor is endorsed by the church
• Requests to consider setting aside a written Helping Hand policy must have the approval of the full Committee
• Any other request must be approved by a majority of the Committee

7.9. How to Move Forward with a Request

Though typically the Helping Hand Intake Assistant will more requests forward, any Committee member can also do so by first asking those coming for assistance (over $500 or recurring need) to fill out our Intake Survey (see Appendix N). Once that form is in hand, the Committee member can then proceed with an interview (see Overview under 1.3). Finally, he should fill out the Helping Hand Interview Form (see Appendix A) and email it to the full Committee for their advice (and possible revision) and then approval. Once approval has been given by the majority of members the Committee member should email the form to the Accounting Office and the Helping Hand Staff Liaison Person, requesting that a check be made.

7.10. Request Histories & the Chairman.s Summary Report

All Interview Forms will be kept on file in the church office by the Staff Liaison for a period of no less than 5 years.

The Chairman.s Summary Report (see Appendix M) will be kept up to date and at least as far back as 5 years.

These reports will be marked .confidential. and access will be limited to the Committee.

7.11. Helping Hand Interview Form

This is the form used by the Committee to request financial assistance for individuals. See Appendix A.

7.12. Our Relationship with CES

It should be noted that at this time the Helping Hand has a member of its Committee who works at Community Emergency Services. That Committee member, Jeff Noyed, oversees our service to those coming to us from outside the church. When a member of the church staff or a member of the Helping Hand Committee sends a request to Jeff Noyed they are doing so because he is a member of this Committee and has the authority to request Helping Hand funds to meet the incoming needs. He may, at his discretion, also explore if CES funds are also available to help meet a given request.

NOTE: All appendixes are available only on the PDF link above.