Comments on: Leading During Financially Challenging Times—2

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:02:17 +0000

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

By: tony

tony — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:33:43 +0000

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

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:44:41 +0000

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.

By: alan

alan — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:22:35 +0000

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!

By: BG

BG — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:21:58 +0000

What do you do for work Tony?

By: txmom4

txmom4 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:29:09 +0000

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.

By: tony

tony — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:05:48 +0000

“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

By: Tom E. Snyder

Tom E. Snyder — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:53:51 +0000

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…

By: frankcocilovo

frankcocilovo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:34:18 +0000

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

By: Travis Hurst

Travis Hurst — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:04:07 +0000

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.

By: tony

tony — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:00:30 +0000

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.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:41:02 +0000

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!

By: Jason Goldtrap

Jason Goldtrap — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:24:32 +0000

Tough times make tough people and sift the wheat from the chaff. -Jason Goldtrap

By: jarret

jarret — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:23:07 +0000

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.