For anyone struggling to make ends meet while such staples as gasoline and groceries go through the roof, debates of whether the U.S. is in a recession seem a bit comical.

Yet in the midst of this economic pinch lie great opportunities for the Church, as evidenced by a number of recent news stories.

One that appeared last week concerned a church in Jacksonville, Fla., that offered to defray the cost of gasoline by 50 cents a gallon during a two-hour period on a recent Saturday.

Cutting the cost of fuel

Murray Hill Baptist Church wound up helping 175 customers save money, which cost the congregation just over $1,000. Members also washed windshields and spread a lot of goodwill.

Pastor Doug Axtell said the project was aimed at showing the community God's love and in the process changing their image of his church.

"Three and a half years ago, I was confronted with the reality (that) most of our neighbors wouldn't care if our church wasn't here," he told a reporter. "The church has a problem being outwardly focused".

This isn't a solitary example, either. Churches from various denominations have sponsored gasoline buy-downs recently in Kansas, Missouri and Ohio.

Financial counseling a ministry

This week a TV station in Augusta, Georgia, reported how churches there are offering financial counseling to people struggling to make ends meet.

Through the leadership of Crown Financial Ministries, people at Beulah Grove Baptist Church and others in the area have become financial counselors. Said one woman who has completed the training, "How to manage your money is pure scripture. These are the why's, the what's. How does God tell you to manage your money?"

Among Beulah Grove's success stories is the owner of a small lawn service who once was so far in debt he considered filing bankruptcy. Although it took four years to break even, he credits the program with helping him make it.

"Whether you get frustrated, whether there is fear, anxiety (or) depression, there is a passage of scripture that will deal with those emotions," he said.

Concern for health

Then there are churches addressing the needs of people without health insurance. A survey last year of 6,000 congregations by the National Council of Churches (with support from the Robert Wood Foundation) showed a majority of them offering health care ministries.

Close to 70 percent who responded provide direct health services to people, meaning they provide care for individuals by trained professionals. Among the services are counseling, 12-step programs, and emergency medical funding.

About two-thirds also offer health education. Fifty-one percent give financial support to those needing helping paying medical bills. Just over a third have gotten involved in public policy advocacy, such as voter education, group discussions, and communicating with government leaders and health care providers.

Helping the community

About three weeks ago, members of Northland church—a suburban, multi-site congregation in the Orlando, Fla., area—set out to help bring renewal to an inner city area of neighboring Sanford.

More than 200 volunteers spent their Saturday morning and part of the afternoon tackling everything from pressure washing sidewalks in front of businesses to installing safety lighting, painting buildings and trimming bushes.

"This is pure love," said one elderly resident on a documentary aired on the church's Web site. "This is nothing but pure love to show someone cares about your neighborhood."

Added a community leader, "This is a gift of God. He has blessed us today."

I could go on, but space doesn't permit. The point to these stories: right now, there are numerous opportunities for congregations to let their lights shine. Here's hoping the brightness will catch the public's attention.