Neal Taylor

Recent Activity

• 

  Neal signed the petition | 3 months ago

  Don't send the Nahal family back to certain danger in Egypt
• 

  Neal signed the petition | over 1 year ago

  Tell EPA: Take away BP's billions in federal contracts
• 

  Neal commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Street Swags Wins 2009 Design Index Award!

  I have had the privilege to hand out almost 10 of these to guys who, when given and shown what the Street Swags are about, have expressed relief and thanks. So, yes, until I can get the church halls opened for the homeless to sleep in, these are better than sleeping on cardboard or concrete.

  
  

  Swags have been a part of Aussie culture since "Once a Jolly Jumbuck" - (Google the rest of the poem to see the reference.)

  
  

  My blog is getting huge amounts of hits about my use of the Street Swags and I would invite those other organisations handing these out to speak out!

• 

  Neal commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Homeless and Sleeping on Concrete? Get a Street Swag

  I have had the privilege of handing out almost 10 of these Street Swags and the thanks that gets expressed by the folk I have handed them out to is more than enough to cover the costs for myself and my ministry.

  
  

  The guys come back, usually with a mate or two a few days later and ask if I can spare one for their mates. After a chat, I know that it is needed and valued in the cold and street environs of Melbourne and suburbs.

  
  

  I have voted for Jean and the Street Swags and wish her the best!

• 

  Neal commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  Evangelizing to the Homeless

  I agree with the point of the article but have to agree with Simon that the left hand analogy doesn't work.

  
  

  I work at two different community meals designed for the homeless, lonely and poor in the community, here in Melbourne, Australia. One meal begins with a very relaxed prayer, the second doesn't. Both are run by Christians (disciples of Jesus - as I am) and the aim of both meals is not to evangelize or proselytize. Both meals were begun because a need was identified to provide a good healthy meal.

  
  

  Besides the prayer, and the fact that both meals are served in church halls, there are no efforts at all to evangelize, pray or convert our guests.

  
  

  We do however, strive to provide a meal and safe space for families and individuals who are struggling. Our guests know that the meals are run by Christians and that if requested we will pray with them. Many know when the church meets and yes, we have had many guests come to worship with us.

  
  

  Our motivation for providing these meals and meeting the need is to live out the love shown to us by God by serving others. This is what drives our guests to come to worship or seek out prayer.

  
  

  I hear from many of our guests the frustration they have with other meals that show a video or try hard to proselytize before sharing a meal. I also hear the frustration and anger that they have when dealing with both Christian and secular agencies who provide (or not) services, treating these folk as third class citizens, numbers, with problems to tick off on a form.

  
  

  I am currently wrestling with a post for my blog about the demise of soup kitchens. And yes, that explores the fact that many churches use these provisions as a means of power. In fact, churches that provide meals on the nights we don't are subject to this issue. It is often done because they must be seen to do something, or 'have to" - not for love of these folk.

  
  

  Lastly, one thing that I come up against constantly when speaking about the meals at churches and other community events, is the stigma that these meals (and the homeless for that matter) have. A stigma from a stereo-type that has emerged from the depression era and fostered by the media.

  
  

  Great post Dominic and while agree with much of what you write, I argue that there are alternatives, and I am happy to be part of them.