Reports this month warn of significant cuts in the availability of free debt advice nationwide due to the end of the Financial Inclusion Fund in March 2011. More than ever, churches remain ideally-placed to provide support to those facing financial difficulty.

The role of churches in responding to debt issues is likely to be increasingly significant, given the cuts and as demand for debt advice is expected to remain high in 2011.

Church groups can get involved in money outreach by setting up a budget coaching or debt advice service, providing literature or running money management courses, among other things.

There are a number of charities able to help churches to set up money outreach ministries, including Credit Action, Community Money Advice and Christians Against Poverty.

"We anticipate many more people will be facing problems with debt in the coming months as redundancies increase," says Keith Tondeur, president of Credit Action.

"There are many ways that churches can help people in their congregations and communities and by giving practical help they are putting their faith into action."