Receive Free Monthly TeachingResponses (cont):
Pastor Mike Kalstrup – Oakland, IA
It’s always the responsibility of leadership to exercise prudent stewardship of the resources entrusted to them both in lean times and times of plenty. During times of economic difficultly, a history of careful stewardship can actually work to your advantage in times of leanness. I say this because, in times like this, resources become more precious to people. If I’m a member of your church having to decide where money is going to be given, I’m comforted and encouraged to participate in a ministry that has a track record of thrift, and one who acknowledges as an organization that you recognize their sacrifice and appreciate it. It goes a long way in providing a positive environment for people to be involved in. Secondly, a public commitment towards the assurance that their giving will be used wisely will help.
Our church happens to be in the budget planning stages of needing an increase for additional staffing needs and facility improvements; but none of that will happen without careful and thoughtful consideration. We do intend to move forward in those initiatives, [as a matter of fact, two part-time people have just been employed] but obviously we have to bring the congregation along with us in those endeavors.
2008 was a good year for our church financially, accomplishing many of the goals that we set out to accomplish. Being in the Midwest may have had some effect on that. But my view is simply, that even in difficult times opportunities do exist for advancement and blessing IF we’re prudent about the steps we take and follow the Holy Ghost. When times of leanness or challenge exist, it serves as a great opportunity for the church to shine and bless people if we do it right.
Pastor Brad Allen – San Mateo, CA
Our church giving is down a little this year and we've had to move to a less expensive facility in response. Overall, the move went well and we like the new facility better than the old.
One thing we've done in the past, that we've decided not to do again, is to cut the pastor's salary in order to pay for other things. Sometimes it's just unavoidable. But we've learned that if the pastors (husband and wife) aren't paid properly, they have to look for other work, pastoral care declines, midweek phone calls decline, organization declines, and attendance and giving declines. So it’s a vicious cycle. We'll cut back where we can, but we'll do everything we can to pay the pastor's salary because that's one of the important avenues toward financial recovery.
I want to hold on to, (or increase) our current level of missions giving despite increasing pressure to cut back.
Pastor David Emigh – Sand Springs, OK
I have pastored for a number of years and it is important to understand that every church and ministry go through different seasons. I have seen times that our finances have fallen off and I have seen times of great abundance. At this present time we are actually doing real well. I believe one reason is that God gave me a prophetic word about America’s finances and I strongly delivered that to our church. It helped our people to be prepared and encouraged them to stay strong in their giving.
The most important thing to do is stay positive and real with your people. Let them know that you know problems are real but the Bible is their strong tower of refuge. Let them know that you understand hard times but you are standing on the Word. The Pastor must be a tither and the church must tithe. It is important that you minister the word at offering times and then teach on giving on a consistent basis.
You must steward the resources you have on hand. I am very diligent on what we spend and keep debt extremely low. You need to trim the fat, but build with vision and faith. If you do these things you will make it through every tough time.
Pastor Ray Almaguer – Glendora, CA
Like all of my Pastor friends, we are being very diligent with our resources. Many Pastors have had to lay off staff members and cut back on guest speakers. Some have been able to refinance their church loans to save on monthly payments. I think a Pastor needs to do whatever it takes it be a good steward. These things are mainly reactive. There are some things we can do to be proactive.
We have chosen to be proactive, not just reactive. There is a lot of fear out there. I have been teaching our church the basics on faith, trusting God, and sowing and reaping. Every service at offering time I share something from the Word to build their faith. A while back I gave out a copy of "Seed Faith 2000" by Oral Roberts to everyone in our church. I taught four weeks right out of this book.
During times like these, I think Pastors need to be careful in their preaching. Sometimes in our attempts to empathize with our people we end up talking doubt and unbelief and fear. That being said, of course we need to empathize, but we are called to lead them. We lead from the front. We lead them by example.
