When someone can't pay rent, buy groceries, or afford a medical bill, they often turn to a local church for assistance. Yet many church leaders - pastors, elders, deacons, staff, volunteers - have never been trained in how best to help a person or family struggling with material poverty. That lack of knowledge can be devastating; you can actually do more harm than good in these crucial moments. So in this episode, Blake shares his six rules for how churches can have the greatest impact and cause the least harm when serving those in financial need. This is essential information for everyone in church leadership, whether on staff or a volunteer.

Rule 1: Educate yourself

Rule 2: Begin with strengths, not deficiencies

Rule 3: Keep your eyes on the 3 types of poverty intervention: relief, rehabilitation, development

Rule 4: Practice the 80/20 rule

Rule 5: Always include required action steps

Rule 6: Follow assistance with relationships