Toward a More Whole Body of Christ

News is out from the Barna organizations that giving to churches is down 6%. More economists and government leaders are willing to admit that we are now in a deep recession with the earliest recoveries predicted to be in late 2009 but no one feels confident to offer a firm prediction.

We are certainly feeling the pressure in the area office and we expect it to get worse, barring something unexpected. We hear from several of you that congregational budgets are not being met and the gaps between income and expenses are causing concern even among optimists. And while we certainly have seen miraculous intervention by God through faithful and compassionate stewards, we are also charged by the scriptures to be wise.

I want to put this offer out in all seriousness and I pray that many of you will agree to take part.

It may be time to have a meeting of congregational leaders (executive teams and pastoral staff) on two levels - within the NW Area and within local communities (among congregations of any and no denomination) to prayerfully explore ways to share income and expenses to more effectively support the missions to which we are called.

I do not suggest a "Y'all come!" gritch session, nor would it be helpful to toss around several ideas with no real commitment to follow through. This would be a very focused and productive conversation among people who are determined to carry out mission with excellence and to honor the economic realities of our time.

If you (or someone you know) might be interested in helping to plan such an event with me, please let me know. We'll call the planning group together as quickly as possible and schedule events as soon as possible.

Let's not allow the secular community look to the Church during the recession and find us merely huddling and fretting while the power of the gospel and the promise of the Kingdom go unrealized on our watch.