(published in Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 2001)

Faithful Motivations

Faith-based and community-based organizations have a track record of doing good work, often when government programs have fallen short. Why? Because the people who work for faith-based and community-based organizations do so because of a commitment to helping others. They are motivated by the desire to extend a helping hand, not to fill the pockets of investors who expect high return.

The most common reason cited for oposing these measures, breaching the separation of church and state, has been addressed in Congressional committees. Language has been added to the legislation that prohibits faith-based organizations from proselytizing or requiring people to attend worship services in order to receive assistance.

Lutheran Social Services of the South and Catholic Charities, those with a long tradition of partnership with government to serve society's most needy, do not offer services as a means to pad our church membership rolls. Rather our work is our witness -- no strings are attached for those we serve!

Why? Because Jesus Christ did not have a litmus test for those he served. He did not beat people over the head with his message. He did not require them to proclaim a Christian faith before he healed or raised from the dead. Instead, he ministered freely and because of that, many came to believe in his message.

It is my hope - and prayer- that the members of Congress will exercise some independent thinking and do what is right by approving these measures so that our country can get on with the work of taking care of those in need.