As best I understand, this began with people from Calvary asking another local church about a ministry which already existed, run by a collaboration of local churches, to help people in need. The other church said “We’ve run out of space for the clothes closet part of the ministry – can you help?” and Calvary took it on.

So it’s not a new thing or an independent one – does that help allay your concerns a little?

When you mention that that people you knew who helped serve the community weren’t doing it through a ministry at the church – I think that is a good thing.

My preference is for the church to encourage their members to partner with existing services to strengthen them rather than start their own.

There are so many non-profits out there providing assorted services to the community, do we really need another church creating their “own” outreach – it is missing the opportunity to collaborate with an existing organization.

I suppose if there is no one in the community providing free clothing than there was a need for it…but I’m thinking it is likely there is already someone doing this who would have loved for the church to partner with them by collecting clothes for them and and even providing volunteers to help them run their operation.

The question would be, if the church was willing to partner with them, would they have been willing to do it with expectation of recognition or reward? or using it as a tool to evangelize? Many churches would say no to this restriction.

(I may be totally off base – I just came from a meeting about collaboration amongst existing groups – and the possibilities are amazing.)