Carpinteria Valley Baptist Church

We wish to help those who have a genuine need. In order for us to determine the need and the extent to which we are able to help, it will be necessary for us to evaluate each situation, interview family and friends, and find additional avenues of support.

Scripture clearly provides guidelines for providing help to those who are in need. It is natural to respond quickly and emotionally to requests for help; however, since God has entrusted us with limited resources, we must be good stewards of what is available. Therefore, we consider it appropriate at times to delay immediate response to requests to allow time for the Holy Spirit to guide our compassion through research and discernment.We ask that you fill out the attached Assistance Application so we might be able to determine the extent to which we will be able to help you, or, as might be necessary, to deny such help.Reasons for denial fall into 2 categories. First, our limited resources. Second, your credibility. Credibility is gauged by the following: We expect honest and straightforward answers. If we discover a misrepresentation of the situation through exaggeration or embellishment, or obvious lies, we may be forced to deny assistance. Also, if we determine slothfulness or an unwillingness to assume responsibility (i.e. find a job), then we may deny assistance. We consider it inappropriate for Scripture to be used as a means to “guilt” us into providing help. Such efforts will be considered a form of “spiritual extortion” and will invalidate the request. The goods and services we provide are expected to be used appropriately. They are not to free up funds to be redirected for harmful or illegal use (i.e. alcohol, drugs).Our goal in providing assistance is to help you out of your current situation, not to sustain you in your current situation. Therefore, there will be a limit to our assistance if we determine a lack of progress because of your own failure.

Finally, our purpose in providing assistance is spiritual in nature. That is, we desire that you come to a full and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ who is your only hope of salvation, both temporal and eternal. In Acts 3, Peter and John were met by a man begging for assistance. His need was genuine, being lame from birth. Peter however gave him no money, but instead, in the name of Jesus Christ, restored him to health. While we do not claim to be able to heal you, or make all your problems go away, it is our purpose to help restore you to spiritual and social health.

In seeking our assistance there is no expectation of confidentiality. Your situation and personal information will be discussed on a “need to know” basis. That is, those who will be providing the assistance, (i.e. the oversight committee, the one providing housing, etc.), will be given information necessary to their involvement. The information given by you or gathered by us will be kept on file for future reference, should additional requests be made; however, a new form will need to be filled out with each request.

I have read the above policy, and in signing below, agree to abide by its principles in seeking assistance from Carpinteria Valley Baptist Church.

______________________________________
Signed
_______________
Date

This policy is authored by Stephen Button and referenced in the October 2006 issue of The Baptist Bulletin. Keyword: assistance1006.

Download the Assistance Request Form and Assistance Policy.