Recommendations for a Benevolence Committee:

1.Establish a benevolence committee/board composed of council members and/or financially responsible former council members (preferably members who have ready available e-mail access in order to expedite the process).

2.Establish a timeline for response time of needs/requests, for example within 48 hours.

3.Establish simple questionnaire/financial assistance request for requests. One is available on the website thened.org.

4.Keep the completed questionnaire and attach proof of the church payment when file is closed. If given gas cards or the request is denied please make those notes on the form and file in your benevolence file.

5.You may want to consider having a policy that allows your office staff to give small benevolence amounts without the committee approval.

6.Regardless of dollar amount requested each person must fill out the questionnaire in order to receive any type of aid.

7.For needs within your own church family getting the input of their home group leader or another leader with relationship with the individual is vital to the process.

8.Establish a written policy of what the benevolence committee/board will consider giving financial assistance for such as:

1.Utilities

2.Groceries

3.Vehicle Repair

4.Rent and/or emergency housing

5.Medical Expenses

9.Should probably not consider:

1.Business expenses

2.School tuition

3.Vehicle payments

4.Cable/phone bills

10.Establish a maximum amount that benevolence committee/board will issue per request without pastoral approval. Somewhere between $300-$500 maximum.

11.Establish maximum amount of requests per 12 month period (most likely 3).

12.Establish follow up policy for your church to possibly include contact from home group leader, enrollment in financial class, and/or referral to consumer credit counseling.

BENEVOLENCE MINISTRY INFORMATION SHEET

This form and the estimated budget attached must be filled out prior to an interview with a pastor or benevolence committee member and before any help is given. Please answer every question to the best of your ability. The pastor or benevolence committee member will go over this form (including questions left blank) and answer any questions you might have. Information on this form will remain confidential except when necessary to inform pastoral staff. Information will only be used for benevolence purposes.

Today’s Date:______

Personal Information

Name:______

Address:______Phone:______

______Email:______

How long at this address?______

Previous address?______

Are you:

❒ Married ❒ Single ❒ Divorced ❒ Separated ❒ Widowed

Name of Spouse:______

Address of spouse if different from above:______

Name of Spouse:______

Addressof spouse if different from above:

______Phone: ______

______Email: ______

Children❒ Yes ❒ No

Names and ages of children living at home:______

______

Church Information

Are you a member or regular attendee at your church name?❒ Yes ❒ No

If not, where do you regularly attend church? ______

How long attending your church?______

How did you hear about your church name? ______

______

Do you attend a support group, small group, or Bible study?❒ Yes ❒ No

If yes, which one?______

Name of leader(s):______

Are you actively serving at your church name in any capacity?❒ Yes ❒ No

Which ministry?______

Leader:______

Employment

Are you currently employed?❒ Yes ❒ No

Name of employer/company:______

Address:______

______

Phone No:______Email: ______

Supervisor’s name: ______

Phone No: ______

Do you give permission to call your employer?❒ Yes ❒ No

How long employed there?______

Type of work/position?______

Name of previous employer/company: ______

Address:______

______

Supervisor’s name:______

Phone No: ______

Benevolence Request

1.What kind of help do you need?

______

2.Has your church name helped you before? If yes, when and for what reason?

______

3.Who else have you contacted for help? (i.e. family, friends, other churches or community agencies?)

______

Thank you for completing this form. Return it to the receptionist and he/she will forward it to the pastor or benevolence committee member. They will then contact you for an interview to discuss the need you have. They will also pray with you and discuss other resources such as financial or vocational counseling, classes or support groups, and other community services. Your Church Name will not give cash but may help may help by way of food pantry, store coupons, hotel/gas vouchers, help with utility bills, etc. Your church name is not able to make loans of any kind.

God bless

___ Approved ______Amount ______Date _____ Pastor’s Initial ___ Not Approved