Over past 20 years, “Loaves and Fish” fed 300,000

Last year, I was talking with a couple about what went into their selection of whether and/or which church to call home. Their Christian faith is strong, so connecting with a church home was a no-brainer. The decisive question for them in determining where they connected was this. “Every church says, ‘God loves you.’ We have been looking for a church that then asks, ‘Now what are you going to do about it?’”

Every Saturday for 20 years, area volunteers from various churches and faith groups, civic organizations and businesses, schools and random individuals have flowed to “Loaves and Fish,” the noon meal offered at First United Methodist Church. Liberals and conservatives, life-long believers and steadfast unbelievers . . . all face forward in practical care for the 250-300+ men, women and children who seek a hot meal, clothes, medical care, tutoring, take-away food, an optional worship service and down time to connect with others without being rushed out the door. While First Church hosts this work and provides much leadership, the volunteer spirit of many churches and secular groups make it possible.

How a community cares for those unable to return that care is a reflection of the community’s deepest values. In the Christian tradition, questions of food, shelter, clothing, health and education are not simply political questions or economic questions. They are spiritual questions, flowing from the conviction that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). For this reason all are entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” that form human dignity.

Jesus was asked what it would be like at the end of the world, often called ‘The Second Coming.’ He gave a two chapter response in Matthew 24-25 and ended with a curve ball none of his followers were expecting. When the time comes for the world to cash in its chips and all stand before God in judgment, the ability to recite creeds and clichés won’t cut it, no matter how sincerely believed. What will reflect that a person really ‘got it’ will be the track record of their basic care for others. The acts themselves do not save but are a clear metric that one has gotten with the God program. “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, sick, lonely, imprisoned and you came to me” (Matthew 25:31ff).

Loaves and Fish is only one example of community caring. Dream Center, Catholic Charities, the food pantries and feeding programs and tutoring programs at many churches, Urban League and NAACP programs are some of the avenues of service. True faith is more than “being nice to grandmother and the cat,” and true caring is more than becoming well-intentioned enablers and co-dependents with those in need. In Christian tradition, what we believe matters a lot. What we do with what we believe reflects whether or not we got the message and really believe Jesus. As someone once said, “How can you worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore the homeless the rest of the week?” In the mind of this (full disclosure) Bible-believing, born-again, Spirit-filled, revival-preaching Methodist child of the King, we can’t.

The take-away is simple. In this community of greatness and great need, find your place and fill it. “God loves you. Now what are you going to do about it?”

Rev. Robert Phillips is directing pastor at First United Methodist Church.