How a hammer can bring unity
July 14, 2009 eXaminer.com
There is no better way for a person to get their mind off of their own troubles for a while than to go and share their talent with those who have less resources. When we reach out beyond our own walls, there’s something fulfilling about it. Somehow, it seems to give life meaning and purpose -- it helps us to become less corporate minded and more Christ minded. When we reach out to others and don’t expect anything in return, it somehow puts us more in touch with the heart of God. As we look for ways to put our faith into action and share with others what Christ has done for us, it somehow deepens our relationship with Him in ways that we couldn’t imagine.
One Christian organization that gives individuals and even whole churches a chance to put their faith into action is Habitat for Humanity. When people of various denominations come together and build a home for families in need, not only have those volunteers served Christ, but they have also shared the Gospel through their actions. And since families must participate in the building of their home as part of Habitat’s program, there are also opportunities to witness one-on-one, sometimes to people who have never gone to church before and have never heard the message of Christ.
One of the Christian principles that guides Habitat’s work is called, "The Theology of the Hammer." This particular principle encourages the Christians who come together to build homes to, "…put aside our differences and to work in partnership with one another." The idea is for Christians to focus on what we have in common, Christ, and not on doctrinal differences and opinions that cause division because, "As we focus on working together to build a house, we realize that the things that make us the same become more important than the things that keep us apart."
I had the opportunity to talk to Rick Sloan, who volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in Southeast Indiana. Here are some thoughts that he shared which will give people an idea of how they might consider getting involved.
Christian Examiner: What is your official title with Habitat?
Rick: I’m the Chairman of the Southeast Indiana Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. We are just one of seven chapters that make up TriState Habitat for Humanity. TriState surrounds Greater Cincinnati like a large circle reaching from Butler County, through Waren County, Clermont County, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana.
CE: How did you get involved with Habitat?
Rick: I first got involved back in 1994 when we began forming an affiliate here in Dearborn and Ohio counties in SE Indiana. We built our first home in 1995. In 2000 we merged with seven other affiliates to form Tri-State Habitat. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to wear a lot of hats over these past several years.
CE: Who does Habitat for Humanity help?
Rick: Habitat for Humanity builds simple, decent homes with God’s people who could otherwise not afford them. Because we build these homes WITH rather than for…we call these new homeowners "Partner Families".
Applications are received from families who are living in substandard housing and who need a "hand up" rather than a "hand out" in acquiring their own home. Applicants are screened, interviewed, and credit-checked to ensure that they can meet their sweat equity and monetary obligations as required by Habitat.
In addition, they must agree to put 500 hours of "sweat equity" in the building of their home and/or on other approved Habitat projects, and must show proof that they can pay a monthly mortgage on their home once they move in. The families sign a 20-25 year no-interest mortgage, which covers just the cost of the building materials, the site, and other expenses, but almost all of the labor is provided by volunteers.
Lastly, we "help" God’s people put their faith into action, serving these partner families by volunteering their time and giving money to Habitat.
Habitat for Humanity is international, but in Cinti, there are 3 affiliates. Cincinnati Habitat, Mill Creek Valley Habitat, and Tri-State, which surround the other two affiliates. So together we all represent all of greater Cincinnati.
CE: What opportunities are available to those who would like to volunteer?
Rick: Besides opportunities to help build, we also need volunteers for our church relations who are willing to go out to churches and spread the word about who we are and what we do. We also have opportunities for people to get involved in our Family Selection Committee, who basically choose the partner family who will be getting the home, Our Family Nurture Committee, people who can help maintain our website, Carpenters, Painters, trades people, anyone with a servants heart who just wants to serve the Lord.
CE: It sounds like there is a broad range of people who get involved.
Rick: Absolutely. We’ve had retirees volunteer, mothers who don’t mind sweeping and painting, college students, high school students, professionals and blue-collar laborers, anyone who wants to serve God in this way.
CE: What do you like the most about volunteering with Habitat?
Rick: I like to be part of changing people’s lives. Many of our partner families are large families who are working class, and owning a home would be otherwise out of their reach. The efforts of me and our many other volunteers make lifetime changes to these partner families.
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