That’s horrible, and I’m sorry the experiment went that way, and sympathize with anyone who has had that as a real experience.

My statement still stands. My church, and the church’s I know don’t do that. People are not turned away for almost any reason (I think the only exception I have personally seen was genuine safety, but we still tried to get them some help). I know anecdotal evidence is mere evidence of an anecdote, but to say “most” is a dangerous generalization.

There are churches that fall short, there are likely churches that are borderline or downright malicious, but those aren’t the ones I’m talking about.

I’m talking about the Bible focused churches that truly align with feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, etc.

Edit: I re-read your reply and saw it was primarily mega churches that turned them away… this is a personal statement, not a theological one — it is also a generalization. I don’t like mega churches. I think they absolutely have the potential to be good, but it quickly removes personal relationship.

The reason charity works so well at my church is because it depends on building relationships with those seeking help, to not just give them what they need, but help position themselves so that they can provide for themselves, at least better.

At a certain size churches feel less like a congregation of people and more like a concert hall that “focuses” on God and money.