Church Partnership Project (CPP)
What it is:
Church Partnership Program is a movement to link the efforts of churches with the efforts of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Humans to restore civility and to nurture "love-your-neighbor-as- yourself" living. SPCH provides resources, particularly its book A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Save Civilization, at a subsidized price so that churches can use it in various ways in their ministries. For example, for:
Small Group study
Sunday school material (high school and adult)
Men's groups
Women's groups
Sermon enrichment
Book discussion clubs
General distribution
Why it makes sense:
Though SPCH is not a church organization, it is based and operated on Judeo-Christian principles, by people of faith. Therefore, churches find its purpose in harmony with their own purposes, particularly in the furtherance of the great biblical command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
How it serves the churches:
Most pastors already advance love of neighbor in all aspects of their ministry. They know full well the importance of this commandment, and they faithfully teach it. Too often, however, the people are not committed to it, and even when they are, they have little idea what it entails.
The book A Funny Thing Happened on My Way To Save Civilization is a tool to serve churches in this high-priority ministry. It does so in two ways. First, its riveting and touching stories and examples help motivate congregants toward neighbor-love. At the very least, pastors find anecdotes they can use in their own messages.
Second, it helps people get out of the fuzzy realm of vague agreement with the commandment and shows what neighbor love actually looks like. What does it mean specifically for the ways we talk to and about others? The way we relate within the family? The way we become givers and not just takers? The way we deal with social and political issues? The way we relate to people inside and outside our own fellowship?
How it operates: Free Books To Pastors
SPCH takes the initiative to offer pastors a free copy of A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Save Civilization. Based on their examination of the book, pastors can then order quantities of the book for use in their ministries for only $5 per copy, half of the already low cover price of $10.
Where it is available:
This program is available as long as funds permit to any church in the United States that requests it by letter on the church letterhead sent to SPCH, PO Box 3032, Clackamas, Oregon 97015.
How it is envisioned:
Presently a pilot project is underway in the greater Portland, Oregon, area to present this opportunity directly to every church. The SPCH long-term vision is to conduct similar efforts in major metropolitan areas across the nation. SPCH hopes to receive grants to defray the cost of these efforts.
The present need:
To provide the sound financial footing SPCH needs right now to pursue this program, the Board has announced a fund-raising effort in the amount of $6000,00.
Your gift now will be doubled:
Two SPCH members have each offered to match donations to this appeal--dollar for dollar--up to a total of $1,000. That means all together we have commitments of matching funds up to a total of $2,000, which in turn means that your gift (for example) of $50.00 will double to $100.00. Any contribution you make of any amount will be matched dollar for dollar until the $2000 (total of $4,000) is met, and for this we thank these donors, who wish to be kept anonymous. Your gift is totally tax-deductible because SPCH is an IRS recognized 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Send checks to:
SPCH
PO Box 3032
Clackamas, OR 97015.
To give by credit card go to the "Contact Us or Contribute" page of this website and follow instructions there.
Our Stewardship of Your Gifts:
All gifts to SPCH go 100 cents on the dollar directly to program, with nothing taken out for administrative or other costs. This is possible only because everyone in SPCH gives his or her services freely. You won't find another non-profit that beats that.
Who is collaborating:
Leaders from various church groups have endorsed the book for the purposes outlined above:
These include the following:
Baptist (Conservative) Mark Hoeffner
Baptist (Southern) Keith Evans
Bible (independent) Jim Byrne
Christian Cliff Berger
Foursquare Randy Sanford
Lutheran (LCMS) Chuck Roluffs
Lutheran (ELCA) Aimee Bruno
Presbyterian (PCUSA) Ron Kincade
United Methodist Arvin Luchs
Community (Rolling Hills) Dale Ebel
(Leaders' statements provided on request, others pending)