Church Reverse Collection Plate

Pink slips, foreclosures, layoff; all of them are signs of the recession. But there's a new sign of change. A North Texas church is passing the collection plate -- and in an unusual twist -- telling needy members to help themselves.

Even from a distance, it's clear the Cross Timbers Community Church is unusual. With its rounded walls and pointy top, it looks far more like a Hershey's kiss than anything else. But what's happening inside, is being called unheard of. Member Amy Sullivan says, "You don't hear about a church giving money away."

But that's exactly what this nine year old, non-denominational church in Argyle is doing. Over the past two months, Cross Timbers has given away half a million dollars to both members and non-members who are struggling financially in today's economy. Pastor Toby Slough says, "Well, we've given single moms and widows $100 gifts. We've taken $200,000 and spread it out to organizations -- four local, two mission -- that are feeding, clothing people in these tough times. We've paid utility bills for members of our church that are unemployed or under-employed."

But Pastor Slough's favorite giveaway came three weeks ago. The church gave 1,400 families $50 each and told them to give it to someone else. Katie Lewis, just baptized, is one of the recipients. The gesture changed her life. Katie Lewis says, "I've been alone so long. Just to be thought of and to be remembered, to be welcomed, it's amazing.It's all I've ever wanted."

This movement started early this year when Pastor Slough told his congregation to take money from the collection plate if they needed it, even though church donations were down. That day they had the largest offering ever. Then, just after, Pastor Slough gave a ride to a man looking for a job, who had just used his last bus pass. Pastor Slough says, "In that moment, I just knew this is what our church has to be about. In these economic times, we can't be so into church business that we forget what our business is, and that is to help people."

I asked Pastor Slough if he worries people will hear of the church's generosity and take advantage of it. He doesn't. "The ministry I'm trying to follow, a lot of people came to see the greatest man to ever walk the face of the Earth because of what he could do for them. I told my church a couple weeks ago, if I'm not being taken advantage of, I'm not being like Jesus."

The church says giving away money is not an event for them, but a lifestyle. In fact, it's just formed a group to look for the best ways to do that. They say as long as there is a need in the community, they will work to fill it.

To find out more about the church's efforts and to hear how church members reacted to the idea, see the full interview with Pastor Toby Slough here.