Rallying the Armies of Compassion
  by Dr. Jean LaCour

“Government has a solemn responsibility to help meet the needs of poor Americans and distressed neighborhoods, but it does not have a monopoly on compassion. American is richly blessed by the diversity and vigor of neighborhood healers: civic, social, charitable, and religious groups. These quiet heroes lift people’s lives in ways that are beyond government’s know-how, usually on shoestring budgets, and they heal our nation’s ills one heart and one act of kindness at a time.

The indispensable and transforming work of faith-based and other charitable service groups must be encouraged. Government cannot be replaced by charities, but it can and should welcome them as partners. We must heed the growing consensus across America that successful government social programs work in fruitful partnership with community serving and faith-based organizations. ….. The paramount goal must be compassionate results, not compassionate intentions.” (emphasis mine )

My friend said with a smile, “Imagining an Army of Compassion is like trying to picture ‘Warring Sheep’. The very juxtaposition of the words themselves supports new possibilities.” In the last four years the words “faith based initiative” have indeed opened up new doors and new partnerships to those who hear the call to live and express their faith through loving involvement and acts of service to people beyond the four walls of their church. People of faith are learning new skills and new ways of serving people and families who are struggling with overwhelming problems. The Bible often refers to struggling people as those who are “poor and needy”. more