Spiralling energy prices: how can churches respond?

On 19 July I was staying just ten miles away from Conningsby in Lincolnshire when the temperature reached 40.3C, the hottest ever recorded in the UK.

As I write, temperatures are no longer scorching, but is still warm and we face the prospect of a drought. The winter months seem far off, but we know it won’t be long before the nights draw in and we need to turn the heating on. However, many are already living in fear of that day because of impending increases in the energy price cap.

It is expected that average household energy bills will reach £500 a month in January. These price hikes are the result of the war in Ukraine, the reduction of supplies of Russian gas, and the rise in wholesale prices. Despite government help many families and individuals may face the invidious choice of ‘heating’ or ‘eating.’ How should the church respond to this coming crisis?

In the first place we have a responsibility to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in the church family. Many Christians are blessed with the financial resources to weather the price increases. Those that can have a responsibility to share with those who cannot. There were no poor people amongst the members of the early church in Jerusalem because rich Christians willingly shared with those in need. This was a powerful witness to a watching world.

Many churches may need to set up a hardship fund to help members, and diaconal ministries will come into their own. Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about the basic necessities of life because their Heavenly Father would provide. The way He does this is through the generosity of His people.

Churches may also have fresh opportunities to demonstrate love for their neighbours and local communities. Just as during the Covid crisis, church food banks may help ensure that people do not have to choose between eating and heating. One church I visited recently was thinking of opening their building during the week so that people could come in to the warm, perhaps offering work stations or social opportunities, and be spared the cost of heating their own homes. There might be creative ways to connect with those who would never darken the door of a church.

The impending energy price hike ought also to remind us that, no matter how materially rich we are, we all face a ‘cost of living crisis’. The Bible tells us that our sin is like a massive debt far beyond our ability to repay. We are bankrupt and deserve to be sent to eternal judgment, which is the spiritual equivalent of the terrible Victorian debtors’ prisons. The same idea is reflected in another metaphor. We all deserve the death penalty for our sins, but would be pardoned and set free if only we could pay God a sufficient ransom for our lives. However as Psalm 49:7-9 bleakly declares: ‘No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them – the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough – so that they should live on forever and not see decay.’ This is the true cost of living crisis we all face.

The great news of the gospel is that, even though we cannot possibly pay the cost of living, Jesus came to pay our bill. He was infinitely rich, yet on the cross became poor to pay our debts and provide a ransom for us. Perhaps the looming cost of living crisis ought to cause us to rejoice afresh in what Jesus has done for us, and to resolve afresh to share this good news with those who cannot afford to live because they have not yet trusted Him.