Has the Church Done Enough to Respond to the Recession?

My initial answer to this question would have to be no. However, this is one of those times that I would like to be wrong. Unfortunately, I am not.

Based on a research survey that came out about a year ago from Barna, church budgets took a big hit probably due in large part to the fact that tithes and offerings given to churches dropped by a significant amount during the recession (click here to read the full research findings).

I'm sure during these past few years a lot of praying has been going on for God to rescue churches, organizations, and individuals from their financial crisis. But I wonder what else has been happening besides prayer, because Barna's research also showed that very few churches on average intentionally developed a proactive response to the economic crisis for their members or communities. So in essence the church has not been in the position it should be to help the people who needed the most help. I know this research is a little dated, but I wonder how much has changed in a year.

I believe in stressful times such as these the church needs to be at the forefront of developing and delivering holistic solutions that impact every area of a person's life. We shouldn't be waiting on the government or anyone else to come to our rescue when this kind of tragedy strikes our members and communities. I know many churches have done an incredible job responding to this monumental challenge, but it hasn't been enough. The Body of Christ needs to stand up and be seen, not just in word but in deed. We need to be in position to provide spiritual and practical resources that minister to the whole person.

What are you thoughts?

Tags: jobs, marketplace, ministry, unemployment

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jay Peroni on January 18, 2011 at 3:48pm

Paul so true and great verse to lead us.

I say these things not just to be critical, but with love and compassion. I want to see our Churches help strengthen the Body so we may reach more outside the Body. Kind of like on the airlines "put on your oxygen mask before helping others". What good are you if you're dead, right?

I have seen so many people within the church that just need a "hand" and it takes an act of congress, but if this same help was needed by those in Africa or even a stranger down the road, church leaders won't even bat an eye. I am not trying to minimize the severe conditions around the world...just saying their needs to be a balance.

What if churches had a handy man ministry to not only help the local community but to help out those within the church walls? Or even providing internal networking groups to help find jobs and connect Christian businesses. It seems many churches don't want the "liability' with organizing these groups...

I know it can seem mightier to help solve world problems, but when the Body isn't healthy I know for a fact many of these church members leave the church, stop giving, or abandon church altogether. I have counseled numerous church members who have asked me in very similar words: "if I can't turn to my church, who can I ask for help? If I were a stranger in the community, they'd say no problem, but because I go here, I'm not a priority!" Wow! That hurts me and I'm sure God as well...

I know there is a delicate line to let the Lord lead where His funds should go, but I don't think He would want us to ignore helping those within our walls who need some help. Prayer and counsel are great, but physical and monetary resources from time to time can go a long way. Small groups can help, but like you said a great many people don't have a group they belong to... Thanks for listening!

Permalink Reply by Jason Garey on January 18, 2011 at 6:00pm

Well put, Jay. May I be so bold to say that, in general, we just don't want to get messy? Writing a check to a stranger in Africa is clean and puts control in our hands. Whereas a neighbor who's having marital issues or a family who just lost their home needs a place to stay for a little while disrupts our lives. But beyond that, it puts us outside our comfort zone because of the unknowns. And where does God grow our faith the most? Outside our comfort zone. Just my take.

Permalink Reply by Camden Ross on January 18, 2011 at 7:56pm

I agree Jason.

Often times we default to the easier and non-messy route: send money overseas to help the starving children in _______.

Helping each other in our neighborhoods and within the walls of our church is a lot messier because we know the people and often times the problem isn't fixed with money alone. It's often times just plain messier because we know the details of the situation, and knowing and having opinions can be a discouragement or a reason to avoid helping.

And, it's annoying, but so true that God grows our faith the most when He stretches us out of our comfort zones, but in that truth lies the key to walking by faith . . .

Permalink Reply by Camden Ross on January 18, 2011 at 7:50pm

Hi Jay,

Very well put.

Often times our own pride gets in the way of us being the most help for each other. I know that I struggle with finding the balance of appropriate help--when does my help (whether monetary or time-based) actually end up enabling the hurting person to stay where they are at. I agree that in many cases, a one-time monetary kick can turn around a situation, and when that is the case, I am happy to help. But I find it difficult to root out the entitlement that is present in society--and even in the church--when it comes to helping each other. I hear people in the church gossiping about how others are helped while they aren't, and while there may be a grain of truth in their remarks, the attitude behind the statement pushes me away.

It would hurt me as well to hear the phrase you quote above, and taken in the most reasonable light, I know that it is a backwards way for our church to be. What I don't stand for is people who use that stance as a way of pushing their own 'poor me' attitude and desiring for the church to bend over backwards in an effort to help them keep from taking any personal responsibility. Can we accurately judge it every time? Not even close, and if there is any doubt, then we should help because that is what Christ would do, but He never really pushed himself on others or fell prey to the traps of the people in His day.

I personally choose to give counsel, time, energy, and gifts that are non-monetary in most cases because I do believe that there is something to be said for the lack of money's effect on motivation, and on curbing one's behavior.

Thoughts? Push-backs to this angle?

~Cam

Permalink Reply by Paul Wilson, Jr. on January 19, 2011 at 9:49pm

Camden,

Outside of money, I believe many churches have also fallen short in the areas of "counsel, time, energy, and gifts that are non-monetary." According to the Barna research I quoted in my original post, only 1 out 8 churches provided proactive resources related to the things we're talking about.

When it comes to assistance besides money, I wonder why there isn't more of a concerted effort to provide tools and resources to help people sustain their recovery, which I believe more people need these days than just be a one-time hit. Is it that the problem seems so big, many churches are like a deer staring into the headlights and don't know what to do first? Or is there another reason more related to what you guys were talking about not wanting to get their hands dirty? Maybe a little bit of both.

Permalink Reply by Camden Ross on January 20, 2011 at 5:50am

I imagine it is a little of both, although, at least for me, giving someone a stack of cash takes less time than actually teaching them how to make their own stack. (Giving a fish is easier that teaching someone how to fish.)

Also, you are likely correct because when we look at the numbers and watch the news that shows us how big of a problem it is, we look at our shrinking budgets and say that helping would be nice, but we have been conditioned too long into thinking that: A) either someone else will do it; and/or B) it needs money that we just don't have.

People need more than just a one-time (around christmas and new years) hit of assistance, but at the same time, most people don't know or realize how they made it to where they are (attribute it to God entirely) and in turn, they really don't see how they can teach others how to grow outside of the spiritual arena.

There is the problem of an often subtle entitlement attitude, and how does one go about helping others to break that? This is a question I really don't have a good answer to.

Permalink Reply by Paul Wilson, Jr. on January 19, 2011 at 9:52pm

Jay,

I'm right there with you in wanting to see our Churches help strengthen the Body. I want to be part of the solution that helps turn this around. But before any solution can be provided we need to fully diagnose and address the problems. I wonder how many pastors and church leaders are willing to be honest about these issues or is it just business as usual?

Permalink Reply by Kim Hall on October 20, 2011 at 4:59am

Sorry for coming so late to this discussion, but this really strikes a chord with me.

First let me say that I adore our church family and leadership. We are a small (120-ish members) debt free church, and do lots of outreach in our community by showing God's love in a practical way. One of our ministries is Financial Peace, which I facilitate. While I have the permission of leadership to run the classes, I have not been able to find a way to get them or the majority of folks to understand what a crucial piece of life financial management is, and how it impacts families and marriages, and yes, giving, so very deeply.

As humans, my experience is that we tend towards being prideful, and admitting that we are not financially savvy or that we are in trouble does not come easily. I don't know if it is pride that is getting in the way, a misunderstanding of the program, a head in the sand issue, or what.

If anyone has suggestions for helping me to get leadership to really get behind the program and getting folks on board, I would be most appreciative. I am planning on holding our fourth round this coming March 2012, and want to really reach folks this time.

Permalink Reply by Camden Ross on October 29, 2011 at 6:09am

Hi Kim,

The problem you share is definitely a challenge. It might be worth digging into finding out if your church family / leadership has an unspoken issue with Dave Ramsey, or if they are simply trying to separate the business/financial side from the spiritual side (not really possible, but many people try or like to think that they do).

If people have a dislike of Dave for being Dave, then a different finance program might be received better (even if other programs might not be as comprehensive).

However if people think that their spiritual lives are separate from their financial lives, then about the only thing I know to help them is by sharing your experience:

Starting with x years ago, my spouse and I were . . . We decided to try something very extreme for us and we signed up for this class . . . now x years later, we are shocked ourselves that not only have we paid $x thousands of dollars of debt off, but our relationship is x times better and we are now in a place where we can bless those in need freely without being guilty or worried about our own finances. We realized that life isn't about money, but money has a way of tricking us into focusing on it too much. We have found a plan to keep our money in check, and now we manage it for God instead of feeling like we are being managed/controlled by it. We could share the steps we took, but better than that, we have actually signed up to coordinate the class itself so that you can experience the EXACT same level of training we received when we began to turn our lives around x years ago. If you are interested in learning more, talk to me after the service or email me at x@x.com and I'd be happy to work with you on transforming your finances, which might just transform many other areas of your life as well!

Hope this helps. Congrats on coordinating the classes. My wife and I are group leaders in FPU (just under the coordinator), and we are continuing to enjoy the lessons even when we have been through them multiple times.

Have a great weekend.

~Cam

Permalink Reply by Michelle Read on October 21, 2011 at 7:16pm

What a great opening three sentences. I also thought "very few churches on average intentionally developed a proactive response to the economic crisis" was spot on. I couldn't agree more....it's kind of like changing one thing in your diet or holistic approach to your health, but ingoring some other really dangerous and potentially fatal issues.

Excellent discussion, really.