Many churches have a deep desire to help people in need. That desire flows naturally from the Gospel. Jesus met people in their places of need—physical, spiritual, and relational—and He calls His Church to do the same. But as many church and ministry leaders have discovered, good intentions alone are not enough. How we help matters just as much as that we help.
Over the years at the Medford Gospel Mission, we have learned that helping, when not guided by wisdom, can unintentionally cause harm. Repeated handouts without relationship, accountability, or discipleship can create dependency, undermine dignity, and leave deeper issues untouched. This realization has shaped the way we think about compassion—and it’s one reason we value the work of the Chalmers Center.
A Resource That Has Shaped Our Thinking
The Chalmers Center has played a meaningful role in helping us think biblically and practically about poverty, restoration, and dignity. Their teaching reinforces an important truth: poverty is not merely a lack of material resources, but often the result of broken relationships—with God, with self, with others, and with creation.
Because of this influence, we’ve shifted away from relief-only responses and toward restorative pathways that emphasize relationship, responsibility, and discipleship. This approach aligns closely with what we see modeled in Scripture and has proven far more effective over time.
Upcoming Benevolence Training for Churches
The Chalmers Center is offering an upcoming Benevolence Training designed specifically for local churches. This training is meant to equip pastors, elders, deacons, and benevolence teams with biblical frameworks and practical tools to help churches care for people in need without unintentionally causing harm.
The training focuses on:
- Helping without hurting
- Preserving dignity while offering assistance
- Moving from short-term relief to long-term restoration
- Grounding benevolence ministry in Scripture, relationship, and discipleship
For churches wrestling with how to structure benevolence wisely—or seeking to strengthen an existing ministry—this training can be a valuable resource.
Why This Matters
Biblical benevolence is not about rescuing people from all hardship; it is about walking alongside them toward restoration. Jesus consistently invited people to participate in their own healing and transformation. This preserved dignity, fostered faith, and pointed people toward lasting hope.
Churches are uniquely positioned to do this kind of work. When benevolence is rooted in relationship and discipleship, it becomes an avenue for real life change—not just temporary relief.
Learn More
If your church is seeking to grow in this area, we encourage you to explore this training opportunity from the Chalmers Center:
👉 https://chalmers.org/training/benevolence/
We are grateful for our partnership with local churches and your ongoing commitment to loving your neighbors well. Our prayer is that resources like this will strengthen churches as they serve faithfully, wisely, and with humility—pointing people toward the hope that is found in Christ alone.
Partner with us in God’s work of relational restoration.