PASTORAL MINISTRY MINISTRY IN AN ECONOMIC CRISIS

“Arguably, the global economic crisis will turn out to be more significant for us and other developed economies than the collapse of communism. A New Capitalism is likely to emerge from the rubble. For many, the New Capitalism may well seem fairer and less alienating than the model of the past 30 years, in that the system’s salvation may require it to be kinder, gentler, less divisive, less of a casino in which the winner takes all.” Robert Preston

“Impossible to ignore and reminding us all of our vulnerability, the crisis that threatens us seems to be us; we are simultaneously menaced by the wave, and exist as elements of that wave. After all, that is what an economic crisis actually is: the sum of all the individual actions of billions of people around the world, deciding whether to lend or hoard, borrow or save, sell or buy, move or stay, hire or fire, study or look for work, be pessimistic or optimistic.”

NUMBERS
£135m daily increase in UK debt
£59,702 average household debt
£242 amount of interest paid in the UK daily
Every 10 minutes a property is repossessed
2,466 people made redundant every day
1 person every 4.8 minutes declared bankrupt or insolvent
£102 average daily decrease in house prices in 2008

SYMPTOMS
Poverty, virtually no interest for savers; poor investment returns for individuals and organisations, fuel poverty
Increased unemployment, reduced income, hours; manufacturing meltdown;
Mental and physical health (60% more family GP visits when main wage earner made redundant),
Family breakdown, domestic violence, separation and divorce
Crime (vehicle, street, deception),
Civic unrest (nationalist sentiments + racism to migrant workers etc; rise of the BNP), A
Alcohol , gambling, drug abuse, domestic violence,
House repossessions & homelessness/unsuitable housing (affordable housing);
Bailiffs, threats and loan sharks,
Bankruptcy; fuel poverty; money lenders/loan sharks= exploitation;
Voluntary sector funding and giving; bankers bonuses;

UNCERTAINTY-HOW BAD WILL IT GET? WHERE CAN WE FIND HOPE?

WHAT CAN CHURCH DO?
MAKE a fresh and distinctive contribution to an emerging public debate about the heart of a ‘new capitalism’ which marries wealth creation and social justice, drawing upon the deep wells of Christian principles and historic traditions of social thinking.
EXPLORE how the local church can offer practical, pastoral support to both congregations and local communities; seeking to address indebtedness, financial capability, responsible sustainable consumption, and the creation of a generous, neighbourly society; and then to seek to put this into action.
STANDING alongside people in empathy
CHALLENGE Christian attitudes to wealth and possessions as a part of personal discipleship, thereby encouraging godly aspiration, contentment, restraint, gratitude and generosity.

LISTEN TO VOICES FROM THE MARGINS

There is reason to believe that the moral consensus is capable of revival. One way for the Church to explore and promote this is by appealing to widely-held notions of fairness, generosity and sustainability:
Is it FAIR? Does it give priority to the vulnerable-the young struggling to enter the labour market, and the elderly living on fixed incomes; people in poverty within UK and globally? Financial inclusion? Credit Unions?
Is it GENEROUS? Does it embody the obligation to give and share our resources with others? Does it embody fair trade and global aid?
Is it SUSTAINABLE? Long-term thinking not quick fixes

WHERE TO GET HELP, RESOURCES AND PRAYERS
• Voluntary Norfolk www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk
• CAB www.citizensadvice.org.uk
• Church Action Poverty www.church-poverty.org.uk
• Life 4 Seekers www.life4seekers.co.uk
• Christians Against Poverty www.capuk.org
• Samaritans www.samaritans.org
• West Norfolk VCA www.westnorfolkvca.org