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providence
Bad Economic News
WORLD Magazine | Todays News, Christian Views.
You probably have heard the discouraging December jobs report: 85,000 jobs lost and 661,000 not even looking for jobs. The ongoing economic malaise is of concern to me for a few reasons.
Of course there is giving. Ministry relies upon donors, we don’t sell a product or a service. With fewer folks working, that means less to donate–which impacts what a ministry can or can’t do. So, we must be wise and faithful. Wisdom dictates we focus our limited resources on our core mission–making disciples. Extras can, and should be shed. Faith dictates that we trust God to provide for that core mission. In other words, we don’t stop teaching Sunday School because we’re afraid we can’t heat the building. We teach and trust God to provide.
The declining economy, while stealing donations from non-profits, also means more people in real need. Our food pantry and benevolence fund has seen much more use over the past year than in the 6 that preceded it. Already we’ve spent our budgeted benevolence, and will begin taking benevolence offerings to continue meeting needs. It’s kind of a catch-22, more people need help but there is less to help them with. Again, loving people is core mission stuff–so we continue to do so, trusting God to provide.
Additionally, there is the spiritual concern for the flock. Some don’t know how to handle money problems in a Christian manner. Some will ask, ‘Why me?’ Others might decide to blame God. One of a Pastor’s great challenges is to help folks see these times are a purifying opportunity. As businesses and ministries must shed extras and refocus on core mission–so, too, must Christians. What an opportunity to realize how much time and money we invest in that which is ultimately fleeting. What a chance to refocus my whole life upon that which is eternal.
Overall my hope is to set an example of wise faith: not wasting resources, but also not doubting God’s continued provision.
In the mean time, I’d love for our government to do one thing: make the US the most attractive place to do business. Doing so, I believe, will do more to invigorate the economy than any number of stimuli or bailouts.
Providence
Our congregation has been trying to build a new building for 10 years. Through various fits and starts we came to possess 10 acres of land (which moved 3 times), we designed a functional building, found a builder who could build it, raised almost 50% of the cash necessary, grew a budget to pay the mortgage and started construction. The beginning of construction meant we had to decide what to do with our present building. We decided to sell.
Selling it, of course, seemed much harder than it sounds. The building is 105 years old, brick and about 3600 square feet. It has only four rooms, a sanctuary (about ½ of the overall space), a small office, a large kitchen and a fellowship area. And the building is landlocked—streets on two sides, homes on two sides—with no room for adding on. Our bank would not venture a guess as to what it was worth, realtors told us they had no idea what to list it for, who would buy it or how long it would take. Oh, an all of this while the local housing market is in the tank. So, we put up a couple of signs and agreed on an asking price.
Within a week we received a call. Another congregation in our area had been looking for a building for years. They tried to build, but couldn’t afford it. They tried to buy and ran into roadblocks. Now they wanted to come and look at our building. So, we welcomed them to have a look around. Then I went on vacation.
While I was away this other congregation made an offer, below our asking price but still above what most of us thought the building was worth. A meeting was met, and in the end we received exactly what we wanted for the building and they received exactly what they wanted—a building. This whole event is what we call ‘Providence.’
God provided for us more cash as we complete our building. This comes during a time when most churches are seeing declining offerings. God provided this congregation with a new home. After years of searching they’ve finally found a place to call their own.
What amazes me most is how big the providence of God is. It is not merely big enough to guide our building process. It is so big that our building process is God’s way of providing for the needs of two churches: larger space for us and new space for them. In one stroke God met the needs of two separate congregations.
God is good, all the time.
Brandon Markette 