With the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, the landmark welfare reform law, churches and faith-based ministries possess new opportunities and challenges in serving poor and need families. The old welfare system has been replaced with a new approach to poverty fighting that emphasizes hands-up help instead of hand-outs. Welfare aid now aims to free recipients from dependency on it, and help them achieve greater economic self-sufficiency. This transition to independence from welfare frequency requires intense, personalized assistance that churches and ministries are well positioned to provide.

This manual is designed to help congregations seize the ministry opportunity afforded by welfare reform; namely, the chance to build face-to-face relationships with economically distressed families in our local communities through which humble, loving Christ-like service can be demonstrated. To do this well, we must understand both the Biblical mandate for caring for the poor and the unique configuration of the Church’s outreach (as distinct from the social service programs of government or secular nonprofits.)