[twigs]

Credit card debt IS an evil. But why should other people pay for someone else's sin? I would think that the discipline required to get out of debt would go a long way toward teaching people to STAY out of debt. The people of this congregation are not wealthy. I just don't understand why some should pay for the others. Sounds like they are setting up a mentality that if people spend unwisely, someone else will bail them out. Next time it may be Uncle Sam.

[TroutStalker]

Those newly freed from debt must attend a seminar on staying solvent. Then the pastor meets with them periodically to see where they stand. So far, he says, there have been no backsliders. "Once you get that weight off your shoulders, you never want to go back," says Mr. Beaver.

This is a faith-based program with no government involved. The people participate voluntarily in a program that helps them get debt relief that would be almost impossible at 20% interest rates. I would compare it to the Amish model of lending to community members at no interest, in the best interests of the community.

[Sloth]

I would think that the discipline required to get out of debt would go a long way toward teaching people to STAY out of debt.... Sounds like they are setting up a mentality that if people spend unwisely, someone else will bail them out.

You have a point. On the other hand, these are the kind of people who are voluntarily enslaved to paying a ridiculous 20% or 24% interest that makes it awfully difficult to make headway; perhaps low-interest or interest-free loans would be a better approach.

BTW, I called up and tried to cancel one of my cards recently... they dropped my rate from ~17% to ~6% to keep me. :)

[john in missouri]

I would think there is a rule, or at least a functional dynamic, that they don't strike with lightning in the same place twice.

And I'll tell you what. As someone who is, unfortunately, currently a slave to credit card debt (for the first time in my life at age 40), if someone were to wave a magic wand to get us out of this hell-hole, I would do my best to move heaven and earth never to get into this situation again.

If you've never been there yet, even if you've paid off your credit card balances every month (as we did for years and years), let me give you this piece of free advice -- if you have any credit cards, cut them up NOW.

[Poohbah]

I would think that the discipline required to get out of debt would go a long way toward teaching people to STAY out of debt.

The couple in this article paid 3/4ths of their debt on their own. That's a lot of discipline there.

And the message of the church is simple and fully in consonance with the teachings of Christ: you've been given a gift. The best gratitude is to give that gift to someone else.

The community is pooling its resources as they see fit; they're helping one another.

And, finally, I offer one final defense: it seems to be working...

[swheats]

I was skeptical at first until I read this portion,
Those newly freed from debt must attend a seminar on staying solvent. Then the pastor meets with them periodically to see where they stand. So far, he says, there have been no backsliders. "Once you get that weight off your shoulders, you never want to go back," says Mr. Beaver.

At least there are steps of accountability and helping families stay out of debt.

[Eagle Eye]

I just don't understand why some should pay for the others.

This may be one of those things that if you need to have it explained, you probably still wouldn't get it.