Recently, our church had to make some cutbacks in the budget and also in the staff. It sucks. The economy sucks. Almost 10% of the US population is out of work. So 1 out of 10 of your church members are unemployed. Giving is severely down for churches by 29% (last year), even more for non-profits (48%). This effects everyone.
The thing that bothers me is that I have noticed many christians have the tendency to look at spiritual success from a financial standpoint. If there is a wealthy person in the church, it must mean they are doing something right. I have even seen people follow the views of those individuals based on financial success as the litmus test. The problem is that this is completely wrong. Sure the Lord can bless us financially. Heck, my family has be blessed many times that way. But that is in no way a means to measure spiritualness. Financial success is a worldly measurement and should not be used in the church.
Our church has some amazing things happening that are only by the hand of God. I personally have witnesses miracles, people getting saved, and personal spiritual growth in members over the past few months. It’s an exciting time for us as God pours his spirit in our lives! The fruits of what God is doing in the church are to be the measurement, not how they are doing financially.
thoughts
