BEING THE CHURCH WHEN ECONOMIC TIMES ARE BAD 2/29/08
by SteveI began a recent sermon with these words, “It’s getting harder and harder to be the Church.” This may have come as a surprise to many lay people, but I can promise you, those words would not have shocked any pastors I know. Almost all of the United Methodist churches I know are struggling financially. There are a variety of reasons for that:
- the cost of living continues to spiral out of control
- gas and milk heading toward 4 dollars a gallon, everything in the grocery store is higher because of shipping costs and bad weather
- the stock market continues to drop, and we watch our investments and retirement accounts shrink in value
- many economists say we’re already in a recession, despite the denials of our government
- businesses continue to close and jobs continue to be lost
-
we fear for the future, and wonder if we will be financially prepared
Last year, our church struggled to keep its head above the swirling financial waters, but thanks to a fourth quarter surge in giving, we managed to pay 100% of our conference apportionments and actually end the year with a small surplus. Many churches were not so fortunate. I friend of mine who’s been in the same church for 7 years told me recently that for the first time ever, they were not able to pay apportionments, and ended the year in the hole. This is a scary thing for me.
This year we adjusted our budget to fit the realities of the financial climate, but still committed ourselves to accepting 100% of our conference and district apportionments (that’s one of the things that makes us Methodists). Ferbruary was not kind to us. We did not make up for the Sunday when the weather was bad. So I would challenge you, even in uncertain financial times, to continue to be faithful and constant in your giving. Jesus enjoined us to put the kingdom of God first, then promised that if we do, we will have everything we need. I believe in that promise and will practice what I preach. How about you?
RSS
We are all feeling the pinch of rising costs. But it is so important to keep things in perspective. I was reminded of this recently when the Winchells lost everything in a fire. We are truly blessed beyond measure! We may all have to cut back on the extras and fall back on enjoying some of life’s simpler pleasures. It is a big reminder that someone out there is always having it harder than we are. It will make things in our life seem not so huge if we put some of that emphasis on others.
Thanks, NC…perspective makes a huge difference, and when we consider how most of us are blessed, we should be spurred to care for those who have not been so fortunate. The basket of loaves and fish is always multiplied when we put the kingdom of God first, and then there is enough for everyone.
What NC said actually reminded me of something that I randomly retained from one of your sermons years ago, Steve, and I think that it’s relevant now….Along the lines of being grateful for the abundance that we do have, you suggested that whenever we pay a bill, we write “thank you” in the memo line. I’ve been doing this for the last four years, and, even though it is really simple, it reminds me that it’s only through the gifts, resources, talents, jobs, etc that God provides me with that I’m able to pay my bills and to have resources to do things more fun than paying bills. You wouldn’t believe how much better and more grateful writing “thank you” in the memo makes me feel about paying my rent, paying to get my car worked on, and paying for electricity.
I guess this doesn’t really address caring for others or for the church directly, but I write all of this to say that this simple action daily helps to center and recenter me with respect to money and the attitude with which I give…..