Being the Church in a Recession

We have been blessed in Texas with a robust economy in good times and a resilient economy in times when the rest of country is struggling economically. Still, people are moving into the state at high levels and businesses are struggling. There are communities dependent upon government contracts when the Federal budget is being redistributed. The result of this is employment numbers are declining. People are looking for jobs. The challenge for the unemployed to find employment is growing, and some economists say economic struggle will continue for years to come.

So what can the church do? An even better question is, what can the church be to their communities in a time when circumstances threaten to turn lives upside down? In one of the ubiquitous blue boxes in the Economist (Feb 20-26, 2010), a short two column piece appeared, addressing this very issue. Here is some of what this secular publication observed.

The church can be a gathering place. Many congregations across the country are providing both spiritual and professional counseling for people who have lost their jobs. They come together in prayer and praise, they network or fellowship, they highlight people who have recently become employed. For those who have been unemployed for the longest period of time, congregations hand out gas cards and gift cards to help them travel to where they need to go and to prepare for an interview. One lay leader said, "We believe that God should be a part of the job search." Then they break out into workshop sessions.

In these workshops they review their resume` writing and learn how to construct an “elevator pitch” for why an employer should hire them. (An elevator pitch is a statement the length of the time it takes for an elevator to reach the selected floor. Not a bad idea to develop for a witness statement as well.)

An interesting component to this growing activity across the country is that the goal is not to add members to the congregation. Indeed, there is a great deal of anxiety and even hopelessness in the ranks of the unemployed. The church can certainly address fear, but opening the doors of a congregation for job searchers unconditionally (without the call to join the congregation) reduces anxiety for those unfamiliar with the church culture and encourages people to become acquainted with principled, hard-working members of the body of Christ.

Such attention to the community may not be forgotten when a job is secured. Still, a cup of cold water given without qualification serves the kingdom of Christ very well.

Stewardship: There is Still Time

The word "stewardship" has always had an effect on people. In fact, my guess is that as you read the title, this eleven lettered word, you were either saying, "go get 'em" or you were saying, "I'll go to the next blog and skip this." Not unlike the word evangelism, at the mention of the word "stewardship," people either become impassioned or their eyes glaze over. "All they want is money."

Here's the thing. And there is no way around this. Discipleship is stewardship and stewardship is your job. While this is not what you put on your tax forms indicating occupation, it is easily arguable that this is why you are here; to be a steward. If you think about it, you were a steward very early in your life. When you were instructed to make your bed and pick up your toys, you were being trained in stewardship. As I reflect on my reluctance to follow instruction at that age, I realize how resistant I was and how much I needed to learn about being a good steward.

To be sure, stewardship is more than straightening up the garage, washing the car and taking out the garbage. It includes family, being a good husband or wife or child. It includes being a good neighbor. It includes the use of your time. How do distribute your time? Do you set time aside to read the Word of God, to prayer, and to worship the Lord? Stewardship includes the call to mission.

Do you use your gifts and personality for the kingdom of God as well as your vocation? I once had a visit from a man who was a great salesman. He was selling me on becoming involved in his business. Ok, I turned him down. I am not in the business of getting into business. When my visitor was done with his presentation, I asked him if he was involved in evangelism in his congregation. He said no. I told him that he may be gifted in evangelism and should not miss the opportunity of being a good steward in this. I said, "Speak of Christ with the same passion and you will be a blessing for the kingdom of God." I don't know what happened after that, but I am certain he never had a "sales visit" like that before or after. The point is, use what God has given to you for the good of your neighbor and it will also reflect God's kingdom to the world. In so doing, recognizing that God is the owner of all things, you joyfully praise God in all that you do by taking care of and managing that which God has given to you.

Money is included. The Scriptures do not tip-toe into this issue. In fact, statistically, twenty percent of the New Testament deals with financial concerns. It talks about management of money, misuse of money, the consequence of loving money, and the proper place of money in our lives. When Jesus speaks in the parables about the kingdom of God, He is discussing stewardship and many times illustrates His point using money. The Pharisees tried to trip Jesus up over financial issues. He would not be distracted. In fact, Jesus used money to illustrate reconciliation, servant leadership and love. Money is used to demonstrate your love for God and all that He has done for you. It is used to demonstrate your love and responsibility also to your neighbor. First-fruit giving is a major component in praising God with all that you have. Stewardship, in this regard means learning to budget and learning to prioritize the budget to reflect your faith. (My family, at a minimum, has tithed all income for my entire ministry. Praise God, we have never gone without. My children have learned to tithe. I don't say this other than to encourage and perhaps challenge you.)

There is another word that has great effect on people. It is a word that softens hard hearts and minds. It is a word that causes congregations to pause when they are out of sorts with each other. It is a word that reunites families and neighbors. It a word that leads people to an even higher level of stewardship. The word is "forgiveness." In Jesus' death and resurrection, you are offered forgiveness. Adam was given the responsibility of stewardship of creation before the fall. Adam needed to hear that eleven-lettered word when he "dropped the ball" in his own stewardship and caused the human race to fall. You need to hear that word when you fail to manage the things you have and the gifts you are to use. Read Luke 19:11-27 and you will learn that our Lord has exacting expectations. The great thing about forgiveness in Christ is you can start again. There is still time to start again.