With decreasing public funds available for welfare and social services, today's faith-based organizations are emerging as the real providers of essential human services. But many nonprofits are finding themselves inadequately prepared to assume roles formerly handled by state and national governments. How do the leaders of these religious organizations best respond to the particular needs of the local community? How do they maintain high-quality service despite new financial pressures? And how do they retain their organizations' distinctive religious character amid the onslaught of new clients and demands? Serving Those in Need is a much-needed source of advice on these issues from both researchers and service providers in the field. It offers the practical, essential guidance leaders need to prepare for the rapidly increasing demands for their service. Based on the recognition that religious organizations bring a special dimension to the provision of services, this unique handbook offers proven models for delivering a range of services and shows how to assess the need for services, build the organization's capacity, and ensure adequate financial support for meeting those needs. It includes extensive lists of references, supporting agencies, and sources of additional information, plus checklists of what to do-and what not to do. Stories and illustrations drawn from real situations demonstrate the difficulties, struggles, and successes other service providers have experienced, reminding readers that they are not alone.
Human and social service organizations that are founded on a faith commitment provide an unquantifiable added value to service delivery. From their beginnings, all faith communities have viewed the support of the poor and unprotected as a fundamental responsibility. Moreover, religious institutions are particularly trusted by the communities they serve. Driven by higher motives, they can accomplish things that other agencies cannot because their religious dimension earns people's confidence. It is only by maintaining this distinctiveness that faith-based organizations can truly realize their highest potential.
Serving Those in Need helps such organizations build on their qualitatively different nature. Taken as a whole, this handbook focuses on building community. And that is ultimately what religious organizations are about.

Back Cover] [head] Practical and Essential Guidance for Faith-Based Service Providers
"One of the burdens of being a religiously driven organization is that any failings or weaknesses?play into the hands of those who may look askance at the message?.Those who undertake to deliver human and social services have assumed a tremendous burden and responsibility. In doing this work from a religious perspective, they have added another layer of burden. However, if it is truly from a deep-seated faith commitment, then perhaps to speak of a burden is inappropriate. One could argue easily that such an activity is not something one can refuse, but is an integral part of the divine imperative. If such is the case, if one truly feels that one's activity is part of the Lord's work, then the magnitude of the obligation increases even more. For one finds oneself not only under the judgment of law and public opinion, but of the God whom one serves. One must, therefore, strive to hear God say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'"
--Edward L. Queen II, from the Introduction
Given the increased pressures and higher demand on social-service organizations, faith-based providers must find ways to increase their effectiveness while maintaining their religious distinctiveness. Serving Those in Need provides practical answers for those engaged in the delivery of human and social services. The editor and contributors draw from their deep commitment to faith, from a sense that religion plays a powerfully important role in people's lives and in our public life. For those who view service to others as a means of realizing their faith, this book will be tremendously useful.