Posted: May 18, 2008 05:05 PM
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| Dr. David Jones, minister Schrader Lane Church of Christ | ||||||||
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NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The sluggish economy is hurting us and our families, but is it also hurting our ability to help out each other? During these tough times the Schrader Lane Church of Christ is determined to keep helping as the need grows.
The members of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ may not all be millionaires, but they will tell you they make up for it in spirit and kindness.
"We don't have a rich church or rich members, but they are solid members who focus on helping humanity and they participate," said the minister of the Schrader Lane Church of Christ, Dr. David Jones.
Schrader Lane has 57 different ministries that help the less fortunate in Nashville and across the world. But the church's ability to help others depends on its members' ability to help the church.
"We appreciate what you have done and what you are doing," assistant minister, Robert Gardenhire told church members.
Throughout the country, the religious community is noticing collections just can't keep up with the rising demand for help in these tough times.
"The economy is a problem. People aren't able to do what they once did," said Jones.
While Schrader Lane is meeting this year's budget goals, the economic downturn has forced them to be cautious with their money.
"We are doing the same things, but we have to be refined on what we're doing and how we get there," he said after a special celebration thanking the members for being dedicated to retiring the debt on an assisted living facility.
With a growing family, Cedric and Danielle Suitt know how the sluggish economy can affect the home-life. But they believe helping others through their church should not be among the cutbacks.
"You're more willing to give those dollars, those dollars that you've saved from something that wasn't so necessary," said church member, Danielle Suitt.
"The times are hard for all of us right now, but the church understands that," said Cedric Suitt.
They may not all be rich, but members of the Schrader's Lane Church of Christ know others out there need their help. And so they say they will pass on other things, before passing on an empty collection basket.
"You don't look at it as you losing something, you look at it as others gaining something," said Cedric Suitt.
Schrader Lane is putting its resources into its assisted living facility and inner city mentoring programs to streamline their efforts.
