A High-Octane Higher Calling

"It costs a lot to even come to church," Lloyd said. "We want to say thanks for coming to church and here is a way to come back."

The Catholic Diocese of Providence, R.I., used a $17,500 grant from the Catholic Charity Fund to buy more than 1,000 bus fare booklets that were given free to recipients based on income and the tickets' use.

"Someone that makes $50,000 on paper may not sound like someone who qualifies, but they could be caring for three to four children, or an ill parent. All those factors are considered," said Mark Guilfoile, director of communications for the diocese.

Such novel ideas as bus tickets, gas cards and filling gas tanks with subsidized fuel are popping up across the country.

Not many would choose to fill other people's gas tanks, but North Point Church in Springfield, Mo., set out to do just that. The 2,500-member church sponsored a gasoline outreach in May as a part of its "52 unforgettable experiences" vision statement.

The event at a local gas station was scheduled to last 52 minutes as the church paid more than $1 on every gallon purchased. But not wanting to turn anyone away, the church subsidized 4,000 gallons of gas for 400 to 500 cars, lasting three hours. The cost for the outreach was just under $9,000.

Greg Marquart, director of church ministries at North Point, said the goal was not about gaining members.

"There's no question Jesus came to this Earth and met physical needs. Our goal was to meet the need," Marquart said. "We wanted to tell people we cared about them without ties or caveats, and that's truly the biblical model."

Responses to gas price increases have taken on a more rustic, pastoral nature for some Texas churches.

At the Lone Star Cowboy Church, the Rev. Jonathan Coe has seen as many as 15 horses on some Sundays in the parking lot, up from the usual three or four. As a pastor of two cowboy congregations 45 minutes apart, Coe has also felt the stress of rising fuel costs.

"It used to cost me $50 to fill up my diesel truck. Now it costs me $132," Coe said. "I would imagine I am spending $1,200 a week between Sunday services, weekly events and Bible study." Because church funds are limited, he is reimbursed for gas only half of the time, he said.

Churches also are seeing financial ministries expand and say requests for food and gasoline assistance are up. A recent Gallup Poll found that about one in six U.S. residents cannot afford the cost of driving, and a separate poll of Southern Baptist ministers by LifeWay Research found that 72 percent say the U.S. economy is negatively affecting their churches.

Cindee Coffee, spokeswoman for Southeast Christian Church of Louisville, said about two-thirds of the 18,000-member congregation is living paycheck to paycheck. Demand for financial counseling has risen, and calls for help in buying food and gas have increased on the church's emergency after-hours phone line. In addition, some church employees have opted for a four-day work week to reduce commuting costs.

Dave Travis, managing director of Leadership Network, a Dallas-based evangelical think tank, said churches have only begun to see the effect of rising fuel costs.

"Everyone thinks of the $4 gas mark, but it also hits the utility bills. There might be a change in service offerings when heating and cooling costs come in the winter," Travis said.