Homeless folk live hard, frustrating lives. For churches that work with the homeless a common phenomenon is the plumber's nightmare. First you discover a small leak, but in your attempt to repair it another leak develops, then another and another. Fix those and several more pop open, fix those and another leak will start to seep, until finally a total blowout and flood. This is what it's like trying to move someone off the street into housing, health and hope.
Churches that provide shelters and food kitchens truly walk their talk. Such works of charity strengthen the soul of both the faith community and its surrounding neighborhood. But there is a deep hunger to go beyond charity: a desire to go beyond survival into actual transformation. Indeed, religion has a power greater than charity, and offers a hope beyond mere survival. We need to unleash that power and possibility.
One way to do that is through a renewed focus on four basics.
Basic number one is accountability, a tough love approach that doesn't tolerate abusive or addictive behavior. If someone isn't ready to move out of the gutter, climb up the ladder, and get to higher ground, then that person isn't ready. Homeless providers like SHARE, using churches as host sites, are very good at creating shelters that open doors, teach responsibility and offer a first step out of homelessness. Unfortunately, a SHARE shelter is where most churches stop.
Basic number two partners the one who is homeless with an encourager. An encourager is someone who will walk up the ladder with the one who is ready. An encourager is a friend who will simply continuously check in on a person's life, offering hope and a friendly face. This is basic human stuff and is most often missing in the loneliness of a homeless life. To have a safe, sane, sober friend who wants nothing from you but your own wellbeing is one of the keys to emotional and spiritual health.
Basic number three is to create a team offering counsel and guidance. Having a friend helps to stabilize the climb but friendship isn't enough. One needs a network. One needs help in navigating the labyrinth of social services, of training opportunities, of the long, crazed waiting and disappointments of hunting for housing and looking for work. Cut off from family, the homeless need a team; I think that the team can be found inside faith communities that desire to go beyond roofs over heads and food in bellies.
Finally, basic number four is a welcome into a community of care where one's name is known, where one has become significant to another. This fourth basic is what churches do best. If only they would open their doors wider and see that Christ comes to them disguised with rags but carrying riches.