One of the benefits of belonging to an established church is the community it can provide for its members. People worshiping together often find they have much in common, and this can help them when life gets overwhelming. A crisis may occur to some, and others can rush to their aid. When one person is affected by the world, they can rely on others to provide moral support. While all of them may believe in praying to a particular deity for assistance in times of need, that does not stop them from reaching out a helping hand when they see it is necessary.
Volunteering is often a part of the modern religious experience. Members may choose their own community area to work, or they may be given an opportunity to join a program sponsored by the church. Working as a group is often a good way to accomplish a great deal without a large investment. This is how many church groups operate. It has worked well for centuries, and it continues to be popular in many areas today.
Food banks and community kitchens have been a focus for churches in many poorer communities. Some of them are staffed entirely by volunteers. Others may have a few professionals guiding their volunteers. They generally raise funds through volunteer participation, and the administration of the charity is done by church workers. All of this contributes to creating a community resource for members of the church and the local community.
There are times when more personal assistance may be needed. A member could have lost their spouse, and they might need help getting through the first few years. Many churches have members dedicated to helping people in this type of need. Church members can also assist when a person needs help with repairing their house after a bad storm, or they may provide shelter to someone temporarily homeless.