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Leading During Financially Challenging Times—2
Create Margin
Churches in many parts of our country (and the world) have been tight financially. As the economy tries to find solid ground, giving to ministries could suffer.
I would suggest you don’t wait until things get even tighter before you start cutting back. Now is the time to create margin.
Here is what I’m telling our staff:
- We are not becoming less aggressive on reaching people—just financially more aware. Just because we can spend money in some way today, it may not be wise. Don’t let off the pedal of your passion, but apply the brakes some when it comes to spending.
- Modeling good stewardship to our church is important. I want our church to see us cutting back some in hopes they will follow in their personal lives. Even though we can afford certain ministry luxuries, I am encouraging our team to find ways to creatively cut back.
- We will be “cash strong” in hard times. We want to be able to help people who are in need, care for our staff, and remain evangelically aggressive in financially slow times. We don’t want to be begging for money, but positioned to make a difference.
How are you leading through this season?
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We have been in the “tough times” too, it started last spring and the summer was real tough. We found as a leadership team the dependency on God became even stronger (a good thing), but what we are now seeing as a result of awareness and dependence is awesome. We are seeing more people resond to our community events and then come to the church than we did in years past when we spent a lot more money on it. We also have had the best 3 month period of giving that we have ever had.
We are taking you advise though Craig, we are seeing it come in, but still being financially aware. I like your thought about being able to help others as things continue to tighten for them.
awesome subject this week, I NEED it.
Tough times make tough people and sift the wheat from the chaff. -Jason Goldtrap
Jason, So true.
Jarret, Wow! Praise God for His faithfulness. I hate that people are hurting right now, but I like when times like these force the churches to do more on less!
I would rather see the children/people in the low income apartments surrounding us in Ft. Worth fed and clothed than have coffee
I would rather see coats and medicine given out than bananas
I would rather see elderly people have food delivered to them and have their electricity remain on than t-shirts bought for the host team
Not bashing the purchase of these goodies at all - just saying that indeed there are things that we may need to/or can give up in times of financial difficulty - without destroying the core of LC.tv - and may actually further the Kingdom in the process.
Maybe, as it gets colder, let the experience room stay a little chilly (someone is always unhappy with the temp anyway), if LC owns the a/c equipment (in most cases it does) have them tuned/maintained on a very regular basis (more than just checking filters, if LC doesn’t own them request the landlord to do bi-annual check ups. Look into reducing parking lot lighting where appropriate. And on and on…….
Again - the things mentioned at the beginning are not in any way critical - just simple things that came to mind that I imagine every LC’er would say - sounds good to me - we can get our bananas later on.
One thing we are doing as a team is staying home. We are cutting back on conference travel. No doubt, we may experience more by attending a conference live; however, most conferences will sell a complete DVD series of every session so you don’t have to miss out on current training. Billy Hybels taught leadership around our table last week…..for $99. TD Jakes taught our men’s study…$20…Saving money during tough times…priceless. One more thing…IT was one of the best books I’ve read for church health and growth…I especially liked the interviews at the back of the chapters.
Personally being a leader at church it’s easy to say cut back how about increasing my tithe or giving beyond my tithes & offerings what if we who can give more help those who are less fortunate i’m thinking Act 2 Church
Tony, have you considered that the coffee, bananas, and t-shirts may not be for you but for the comfort of the guests? A part of the LC Paradox: comfort and confrontation?
Just a thought…
“Not bashing the purchase of these goodies at all - just saying that indeed there are things that we may need to/or can give up in times of financial difficulty - without destroying the core of LC.tv - and may actually further the Kingdom in the process.”
just saying that i believe food, clothes and medicine would also serve the LC purpose very well, also - if it ever came down to having to make that very hard choice - no offense intended and tried as best i could to make sure that it wouldn’t be taken that way - oh well
I am with you 100% Tony! I understand the importance of doing creative things to reach people. But in times of financial struggle, you don’t want to have to tell people in need “no” because you spent too much money on the plasma screen in the bookstore. That’s bad stewardship no matter when it’s happening.
What do you do for work Tony?
In May of this year we began the process of a capital campaign for the purpose of raising money for missions, addtional staff, and debt reduction, We are about to bring our campaign to a close, and even in these difficult times are people are responding to the campaign, I think the tough times are drawing our people back to God and becasue of this He is getting the glory!
Tony- Thank you for input and I didn’t get that you were bashing the methods at Lifechurch.tv at all. I think in any ministry you have to evaluate what is being the best stewards of the money God has given us to use for His kingdom. I know that my area (kids) at Lifechurch.tv strives to honor God with the money He has entrusted us. But like Craig said, we don’t want to put the brakes on a series that we think is an amazing way to reach those who don’t know Christ. It’s a tough balance…and one that we have to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on.
carrie - agreed, it’s a balance. let me be clear on this - a person’s soul is worth more to me than a banana!!!!!! if the banana gets them in the door, or opens them up to Christ - buy a gazillion bananas!!!!
they were just simple, simple examples, that’s all
Tony- Completely agree!! Bring on the bananas!! Ha Ha! And no worries, I knew you were giving examples (and some of them were pretty good suggestions) and not being critical. No offense taken in any way