Question: I read an article earlier this year in the WELS Forward in Christ which pointed out the theological shortcomings of Habitat for Humanity. From its own writings it is clear that some of the thinking of this organization is not Biblically sound. At the same time, what they do to help communities and impoverished individuals is certainly a “good thing.” If I wanted to help my community would it be OK to volunteer for such a project as long as I didn’t join the organization?

Answer: Over the years, the names and the details change, but the Biblical principles remain the same. Many years ago, the matter of lodge membership was a much more prominent question among our members. A reason that many gave for wanting to be involved in organizations like the Moose or the Masons was the charitable work those groups did with children’s hospitals and the care of orphans. Today, Habitat for Humanity is more prominent publicly. In the Midwest, at least, Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) is another organization which considers itself a “ministry” in which volunteers become “missionaries in their own community” as they provide food, housing assistance, and basic home furnishings to those who cannot afford them. As the questioner points out, the goal of providing decent housing for the impoverished is just as beneficial and worthy as trying to provide medical care or a home for an orphan. The goals of Love INC are equally helpful to a great number of people.

These commendable accomplishments of the lodges, Love INC, Habitat for Humanity, and other social welfare providers in the areas of human assistance are not and never have been under criticism by the Christian Church.

The problems which lead us as a synod and as pastors to urge our members not to participate in such endeavors arise when these organizations make religion an integral part of their purpose and description. Once they include religion as part of their purpose of existence, we are obligated by God Himself to examine carefully whether their religion is a truly biblical religion. If it isn’t faithful to God’s teaching in the Bible, the Lord warns us: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching [i.e., all the teachings of Christ], do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.” (2 John 10-11).

But, by contrast, suppose a group of socially concerned individuals might get together in a town to gather and distribute food for assistance to people in need. Further, suppose that group of people might neither encourage nor discourage its individual workers from expressing Christian faith while distributing the food. In such a case, a biblically aware Christian should not feel any qualms about participating. Since this hypothetical organization is not including religion of any kind in its stated goals, a Christian participating in such work would only be sharing his personal faith in Christ under his own initiative if he chooses to assist in such endeavors.

If our members participate as volunteers for a local Meals on Wheels, for example, they are not thereby representing any particular viewpoint regarding Christ, whether biblically accurate or not, since this work is usually associated with government FDA programs or Health and Human Services programs. That’s not to say they people who work in such programs might not share Christ when they make a delivery. But such sharing would be done on a personal basis, not as a representative of the larger group. Similarly, our synod and the WELS have traditionally made a distinction between service organizations like the Lions Club, for example, and the Masons. Typically, a Lions Club or a local meals on wheels group does not have as a requirement for membership that one must believe in a god of some kind, or demand a personal subscription to a small subset of Jesus’ teachings. But Habitat for Humanity and Love INC all operate under the stated assumption that their members are acting on behalf of and under the influence of Christ.

At that point, it becomes a matter to be determined by the Bible’s teachings about Christian fellowship. And it is at that point that God’s teaching is (sometimes uncomfortably) clear for us: “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17). If we desire to serve Christ by helping people who are less fortunate, we will want to obey those verses of Scripture about serving without ignoring other verses our Lord has given us.