Daycare – the Churche's mission?

The other day I was reminded that a church cannot minister to the homeless and those who look rough to us  because of a daycare on the churche's property. The parents fear the homeless and having been a mother myself I took long and being careful to expose my children to the less fortunate. They can be scary to a small child.

Yet, there is another thought. Did Jesus ask us to create day-cares? Did Jesus ask us to minister to the orphans, the poor and less fortunate? We are told in the Bible to teach our children. That, however, does not translate into daycare for me. Most church day-cares are extra income. In most cases they do not add much to the count of the congregation and are pretty much a separate entity. Now, the children may hear more Bible stories. Rarely, or only a few of these parents go to the church services from what I have been told. (This may not be true for all denominations)

If our impact is so minimal, is having a daycare really what a church should be aiming for?

Should we rather aim to serve the less fortunate – those who have no one and are struggling fiercely? Isn't that what Jesus did – he, a rabbi, hung out with the less fortunate and the worst of sinners? (Not that the poor are the worst sinners- they may be our saints). I believe we could teach the parents and children by ministering to the less fortunate in a controlled church setting more than we can through a daycare. The church could set an example to her people on how to respond to the less fortunate not by giving in to societal demands the parents will of course bring with them, but by teaching parents and members a compassionate response in spite of society's norm and demands.

In this case the children wouldn't only hear Bible stories – they would get to act them out.

Children would also learn to face their fears with the support of the whole church.

And the financial side? If we use daycare as a side business, I am sure there are other side-businesses we can engage in which minister at the same time. I could imagine things like an adult-daycare, regular flea markets, if the church has land, renting out small garden plots so city people can grow food, renting the facility to small start-up-churches....the possibilities are limitless as long as the congregation is creative and not stuck in a rut.