Posted 661 days ago
Renewal of Hope and Readiness for Recession
On November 4th, we witnessed not only the election of a new president of the United States, but a remarkable renewal of hope. Those who for generations have been excluded were among those most deeply impacted by this historic event. Even conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan on CNN exulted in this remarkable event. Even more impressive is the report that people all over planet seem to be swept up in this renewal of hope as well.
Barack Obama is, however, taking the helm at a very daunting time. As we slide into a global recession, it isn’t clear that he will be able to achieve the goals that he has set. We not only need to pray for President-elect Obama and all our leaders during this concerning time, but for those that are likely to suffer most from this growing global economic crisis as well.
In our last e-zine, we urged leaders in the church to take this devastating recession seriously and prepare now to create practical ways to be God’s compassion to the most vulnerable. We have had a few responses, but no examples of where churches are actually taking steps to get ready to serve their neighbors as people lose jobs, homes and savings. Please send us any examples of churches you know that are creating recession preparedness strategies.
Thanks,
Tom Sine
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“We have had a few responses, but no examples of where churches are actually taking steps to get ready to serve their neighbors as people lose jobs, homes and savings. Please send us any examples of churches you know that are creating recession preparedness strategies.
It really depends on how you define “church”! If you are looking for examples of the “institutional” church responding you may be hard pressed. However, the Church of which Jesus is head has always been responding to the needs of those who are disadvantaged.
My wife and I sometime ago left the “institutional” model because of its impersonality and inability to be the eyes, ears, hands and feet of Jesus. Not onl.y did we not know or minister to one another in any significant way but we were focused almost solely on the institution itself! Needless to say, my wife and I were grieved by the priorities. I thought to myself, “How can I “tithe” to an institution that utilizes its money almost solely for itself, it’s buildings, its staff, maintenance, Sunday worship and member centered programs?
We watched as giving to missions declined while spending on “worship” teams and “technology” increased. We cringed to see that the category of “benevolence” almost disappeared from the “church budget”. Although there was more pressure to give to support “the church”, there was less and less real ministry: to one another, to the poor, to the needy, the widow, to orphans and within the community where we were “housed”.
A brother with whom I met for prayer, on a regular basis and a committed churchman said to me one day, “George, I had a very unnerving thought the other day. I thought to myself, If we closed the building and moved to a more suburban location, I doubt if the people in this neighborhood would even notice we were gone. It seems to me that we have had no significant impact on the street where we are housed!!” That thought haunted me. I got to thinking, that’s true for my wife and I where we live! That thought began a revolution in our life. One that haws just begun but which is continuing as we strive to learn how to “BE” the church where God has planted us. In our apartment community!
Our response as “the church” is to begin to reach out to our neighbors with love and kindness. Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with the lady above us concerning faith and the Lord. We were able to make the plight of our neighbors known to some other believers when they were about to be “evicted” at Christmas time. many people (the church, the family of God) responded with gifts and letters of encouragement and their needs were met until the husband was able to secure employment.
Our “being the church means aking bread for neighbors and others in our apartment complex. We are now attempting to get other believers to come together to pray for those who are in need of salvation or help of any kind.
Another “response” to our Lord has been to utilize the money that once went to further the institution for direct support of missionaries in France who had all but been abandoned by the institutional churches!
These Godly missionaries were about to leave the field as support had all but dried up as church after church dropped their support…not because these dear ones were ineffective in their mission but because there was no longer enough money in the budget.
Although it’s not much it is a start. At 61 this old dog (as opposed to old white guy) is learning some new tricks. I only wish I had listened to His voice long ago.
Blessings
George » 621 days ago » Link