Free Lunch??

Free LunchThey say there is no such a thing as a "Free Lunch" but what else do you call it when the churches are doing 50% of the youth work in the community and doing so for nothing? In a recent series of lectures the Prime Minister, Michael Howard and Charles Keddedy addressed the "faithworks" conference and each one told the audience that church and faith groups deserved to receive funding for the valuable work they did. If a congregation accepts funding for projects does that represent a step forward? Does such partnerships with governemnt bodies represent engaging with the community? Or does it mean the leraving of faith behind? Lets leave the lottery funding to the side and consider the possibility of other funding. Is there a better group of people which the local and state bodies can trust? Would it be better from their point of view to filter money through the local churches and other faith groups than to alow the money to get into the hands of less charitable and trustworthy organisations and we, in Northern Ireland know all about the money getting into the wrong hands. Or does this , inevitably mean that we will loose the edge of our faith and come to trust in national prosperity and government good will rather than in the grace and mercy of our heavenly father? What do you think?