To the editor:

The front page headline in the March 2 Journal-World, “Churches’ silence on cuts bewilders advocates,” if intended to be provocative, was a success. However, the substance of the piece did little to support what was intimated by the headlines and the scripture reference in the introduction. The church may indeed be silent on the issue of tax cuts to state welfare plans, but to conclude that this silence means an indifference to the care of the “least of these among you” would be an underestimation of the philosophy of the church.

What’s really amazing is how our culture tries to marginalize the activity of the church, and when things are break down, they accuse the church of doing nothing. Much of the church never bought into the notion that the secular state should become an impersonal giver of money that solves the citizenry’s ills. The example Jesus left us was not one of an impersonal community horse trough for finances creating an ever-increasing dependency, but a personal involvement that empowers people with purpose.

The gap left by state budget cuts must be filled, but the church has come too far to be provoked into the box that the secular culture has lived in for the past 50 years. The church, because of its faith, has unlimited potential in solving the problems we see. It will, as it has in the past, inspire vision, compassion and action. The church’s response to these needs should be like Jesus’ who left us great examples of empowerment and real change. Next Sunday’s headline should read, “The church: Our only real hope.”

John McDermott, pastor,

Morning Star Church