Washington Post: "Calling on Gospel to Call Off Debt: As Financial Crisis Grows, Many Turn to Church for Help"

[leno...@yahoo.com]

I saw this on TV recently. They also mentioned a religious book by a
woman titled "Out of Debt, Out of Bondage."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/19/AR2008071901733.html?referrer=emailarticle

It's three pages long.

First half of first page:

By Ovetta Wiggins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 20, 2008; Page A01

Following the advice of their pastor, the men and women shuffled to
the altar, cut up their credit cards and placed them near his feet.

"If we want to have victory, we have to come out of financial
bondage," the Rev. John K. Jenkins of First Baptist Church of
Glenarden shouted during a recent sermon.

Ordinarily Jenkins's sermons are about spiritual freedom and ridding
one's self of sin. But his message has taken a different turn lately
-- one that preaches the dangers of overspending and debt.

The sermons are not unusual. With the country on the cusp of a
recession and many people burdened by the mortgage foreclosure crisis,
skyrocketing gas prices and rising grocery bills, religious leaders
across the Washington region are increasingly ministering to their
members about financial responsibility, encouraging them to control
their spending.

"We tell our members, don't buy dresses and shoes, take trips, all on
credit," Jenkins said in an interview. "It's killing us."

Churches are going a step further by providing financial counseling
and pointing people to local and state programs that help with
finances.

(end of excerpt)

Lenona.