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- Jun 11, 2015
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ATT: KKKT BISHOPS AND CLERGY
By Art Scherer
Lots of churches have financial difficulties, but are you sure they are really money problems? Money is often a symptom of some deeper issue, often a relational or missional one, that people confuse with a financial issue.
Every problem a congregation confronts can be reflected in the offering plate. When a member is unhappy, he or she seldom leaves immediately. There are often historical and social ties that keep a person there. But that dissatisfaction is first shown in attendance patterns and in giving patterns. Offerings may be withheld, or a previously generous person may simply choose not to respond to any call for an increase or a special appeal. It is a quiet, passive-aggressive way of saying “something is wrong.”
Church leaders, either unknowingly or intentionally, often focus on the symptoms rather than the problems. They address a financial problem, blaming it on the economy, the weather, the lack of commitment on the part of the members, the need of the pastor to talk more about stewardship. And the solutions are financial ones: Send out a letter, preach a sermon, have a “Miracle Sunday”, cut staff. Receive more or spend less.
The truth is that financial problems may not be financial problems at all. They may be symptoms of underlying causes such as…
CC: Return of Undertaker
Mwanahabari huru
Salary Slip
By Art Scherer
Lots of churches have financial difficulties, but are you sure they are really money problems? Money is often a symptom of some deeper issue, often a relational or missional one, that people confuse with a financial issue.
Every problem a congregation confronts can be reflected in the offering plate. When a member is unhappy, he or she seldom leaves immediately. There are often historical and social ties that keep a person there. But that dissatisfaction is first shown in attendance patterns and in giving patterns. Offerings may be withheld, or a previously generous person may simply choose not to respond to any call for an increase or a special appeal. It is a quiet, passive-aggressive way of saying “something is wrong.”
Church leaders, either unknowingly or intentionally, often focus on the symptoms rather than the problems. They address a financial problem, blaming it on the economy, the weather, the lack of commitment on the part of the members, the need of the pastor to talk more about stewardship. And the solutions are financial ones: Send out a letter, preach a sermon, have a “Miracle Sunday”, cut staff. Receive more or spend less.
The truth is that financial problems may not be financial problems at all. They may be symptoms of underlying causes such as…
- Lack of Vision – Sometimes people just can’t see a future for the congregation. They are not motivated to give to the same old things. People are motivated by the love of Christ and a call to partner with Him in mission, not by a call to keep the doors open. Prov. 28:19 – “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (KJV) Where there is no vision for a congregation, the hope and enthusiasm perish.
- Changing Demographics – Even growing urban congregations (let alone declining ones) face this. The older, wealthier, life-long members are dying or moving out, and the new members are less affluent and often new to the faith or to church membership. The big hundred-year-old building is no longer an asset, but a liability. The staff cannot be supported and reflects the needs of another time. Some rural congregations in declining populations face their own version of these issues. Ongoing stewardship education is a necessity, but some really hard decisions about mission and the facilities and staff needed to support that mission will be needed.
- Dissatisfaction – When people are unhappy, it shows in their giving. While it may not be important for the pastor to know what people are giving, it is good for him to know when there is significant change in a person’s giving habits. A pastoral visit or conversation may get to the heart of things. And when it seems more widespread use a process such as “World Cafe”, LCEF’s “Vision Path” or ask your District about people trained in Dr. Pete Steinke’s “Bridge Builder” process to engage the congregation in discovering God’s will for its future.
CC: Return of Undertaker
Mwanahabari huru
Salary Slip
