All in the Family

Well, as I was skimming through the latest issue of Liberty University's publication, I came across an ad for Samaritan Ministries. I've since done a little research on this group. it's quite interesting. Basically, their aim is to provide affordable security for medical expenses. In practice, it works just like medical insurance (plus the church prayer chain).

They take every possible pain to show how different they are from "insurance," but the process is identical. You pay a monthly fee and administrative costs so that you will receive money if and when you need it later. Just like insurance, you pay a premium and you cannot have a pre-existing condition that needs continued treatment (diabetes, etc).

THE BIG BONUS: You get your name and health problem published in a newsletter so other people can read about you and pray for you, just like the church bulletin, etc. Wait, what if you don't attend church already? Well you're out of luck my friend.

THE DIFFERENCE... between Samaritan Ministries and insurance is that if you're not a "Christian," as defined by them, then you cannot participate. Included in these conditions are regular church attendance. Let's look at these conditions (word for word from the brochure):

-Must be a born-again Christian (Jn 3:3)
Great. Hope you didn't grow up in a church from the time you were a kid, being nurtured in the faith by your parents and church (Prov 22:6).

-Must attend church 3 out of 4 weeks per month except when health or weather prevents it (Heb 10:24-25)
Didn't you know that God takes attendance? You apparently cannot gather in your home with friends or at the homeless shelter to read scripture and sing songs. Unlike the Bible might indicate (Mt 18:20).

-Must not abuse alcohol, (Ep 5:18) and must indicate on the application from one of the following options: 1- Abstain from alcohol use completely; or 2- Drink alcohol only in extreme moderation.
I suppose someone has to measure this and have the minister sign off.

-Must totally abstain from illegal drugs, use of tobacco, and sexual relations outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage. (I Cor 3:16-17)
-Must participate in good health measures, since your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Cor 6:19-20)
I see, so does this mean only specific foods? Nothing unhealthy? Say goodbye to Thin Mints, bacon, ice cream, butter, and carbs. Who decided tobacco is more dangerous than Mig Macs? You can die just as quickly from 2 or 3 of those a day as a cigarette habit. Those are all considered unhealthy these days. And those born-agains better not have a history of drug or alcohol use or fornication. That might lead them to have health problems that aren't covered now.

-Your pastor or another church leader must sign a verification form, confirming that you meet these requirements. (Heb 13:17)
Again, if you don't attend a church building, you might not have a "pastor." That's not non-Biblical, for we are called to go into the world many times, and yes, to gather with fellow believers, but Jesus never once preached a church attendance sermon. Besides, this verse speaks about submitting to "those that rule over you." In most faith traditions, your pastor does not rule over you. He serves you. Christ was a servant leader. As a future minister, I must seek to serve my congregations, not rule them.

I'm not sure you can define a Christian by these standards, and even if you could, is it the calling of Christians to only take care of other Christians? Is it our calling to first ask someone if they are decent and good and our brand of believers before assisting. Did the Samaritan in Jesus' parable interrogate the bleeding, naked man on the road to ask if they ascribed to the same beliefs or culture or what his past held? No. In fact, he was quite different from the man in belief and practice, and he had mercy on him. You'd think an organization with such a name might be most interested in helping all people and having mercy on anyone in trouble. I leave it for you to decide. At least... they have affordable rates...