Revitalize Your Church

Reading about Saddleback's financial shortfall, and Rick Warren's urgent plea for a million in two days, reminds me that we're not in such bad financial shape in Hayward after all. 2009 was a very difficult year financially for a lot of people -- including congregations (our own included.) However, God is always faithful. Jehovah Jirah is Our Provider and He never fails His people. When things are tight financially, it's simply a call to reconsider the wisest way to use the money entrusted to us as faithful stewards. It forces us to make decisions and adjustments we probably should have made in the first place. In times of plenty, it is human nature to become less careful in spending practices. Financial hardship is good "quality control." Sometimes, a big financial problem isn't nearly as big as it seems. I did a little math and figured that the Saddleback shortfall is less than a dollar per attendee per week (or fouteen cents per day -- and Hannah tells...

A fascinating report from Christian Leadership Alliance regarding the Recession's Impact on Christian Non-Profit Organizations

Barna on How Churches are Weathering the Economic Downturn

A Senior Pastor, a Youth Pastor and the Church Treasurer sat together at the church soup supper. As soon as the soup was delivered, three flies circled overhead and landed -- one in each bowl of soup! The Senior Pastor discretely picked up his spoon, gently lifted the fly out of the soup, deposited it on the saucer, and covered it with a napkin. The Youth Pastor yelled, "OH Gross!!" and flicked the fly out of the bowl with finger onto the floor. The Church Treasurer analyzed the situation, reached in and grabbed the fly with both hands -- shook it and shouted, "Spit it out! Spit it out!"