Ministry in a Deepening Recession
We're in it and it'll be with us for awhile. By most accounts this economic recession/downturn/storm/--call it what you want--is the most severe in 70 years since the Great Depression. I don't need to offer much evidence for that claim, we swim in it daily. So what does that mean for us who follow Jesus?
At the February presbytery meeting I highlighted what a few of our churches are doing with congregants and neighbors to provide care, support, and practical assistance. What about you? What impact is the recession having on those in our congregations and communities?
During Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Ike "Churches were among the first responders. They weren't prepared," Sine recalls, "but they often did a better job than government agencies." He continued, "Followers of Jesus, during times of crisis, don't abandon neighbors, but share their resources with them."
Sine poses questions I encourage us to ask and share with each other.
What are you doing in your congregation or what best practices have you heard from other congregations to minister to those most impacted by the recession?
What new ideas do you have to increase our capacity to reach out to our neighbors?
Let me know what you are doing to be the hands and feet of Christ for others in these times. We'll keep sharing your stories through the Sound & Spirit.
Many churches are experiencing decreased giving and budgets are coming up short. Some of you are or will be making difficult decisions about what expenses to cut. So this is a time where you're asked to do more in ministry with less and will require creativity on all our parts. For now, remember two things as you go about exercising good stewardship:
1) You don't need to walk it alone, I and your Committee On Ministry are here to help you think through responsible stewardship of the God-given resources provided by the people of God.
2) Apply for a grant. Due to the generosity of our congregations, NPS Presbytery has grants for churches taking on emerging-mission and community-blessing projects. Do not let a lack of funds be an obstacle to blessing those who are hurting in these financial times.
Below are some great ideas and resources to get you or keep you walking on this path and improving your approaches to ministry in a deepening recession. I hope it provokes gratitude for what's happening right now and primes your imagination for what might be.
By Corey Schlosser-Hall
Community Forum on Economic Issues
Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church held a Community Forum on Economic Issues in February where 30-40 neighbors came together to address three questions:
1) What are you hearing/seeing in the communities around you, as the economic crisis takes hold more and more?
2) What are the fears/anxieties you sense people are living with, and what evidence of those fears/anxieties do you see?
3) What encouraging/hopeful LOCAL ideas and/or resources to address the growing needs have you heard about, seen, want to suggest, or want others to be aware of?
Read the outline and responses from the community forum and contact Rev. Tom Patterson (206.364.2712) for more information.
Financial Peace University
Everyone is invited!
Lake Forest Park PC, North Creek PC in Mill Creek, and Mukilteo PC are offering, Financial Peace University, a 13 week course developed by Dave Ramsey. This course is about developing faithful, healthy financial practices for individuals and families.
To offer this course you will need someone certified in the course to facilitate it. Craig Hopkins (425.486.3007) and Dan Tradal (206.365.0511) from Lake Forest Park PC, or David and Valarie Austin (425.879.2009) from North Creek PC would be glad to share their experiences with you. Or contact Michael Gronda with Financial Peace University for churches directly at 877.378.2667 x5307.
Best Practices Beyond NPS Presbytery
Tom Sine of Mustard Seed Associates based in Seattle was particularly prescient in encouraging congregations to prepare themselves for a potential recession. On September 7, 2008 he gathered congregational leaders to brainstorm ways they could become prepared to minister during the recession. He published, "Are You Recession Ready?" in Leadership Journal about that brainstorming session.
Two weeks ago on March 14 he and 65 Christian leaders from around Puget Sound gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, WA to "1) To learn from one another about the growing impact of the recession on those in our congregations and communities as well as the larger world; 2) share with one another best practices of recession readiness in our congregations as well as other congregations near and far; and 2) create new ways that we can in our lives and congregations increase our capacity to reach out to our neighbors."
"Deepening Recession Ready or Not" is the outline from that gathering and initial collection of best practices. I share this with you with Tom's permission.
Project Light House
The developers of Project Light House share how they got Project Light House started and some of the key lessons they've learned in engaging this ministry. Read more about Project Light House.
A Call to Share Our Abundance
" A Call to Share Our Abundance" is a syndicated article by the Washington Post financial columnist Michelle Singletary published a couple of weeks ago in the Everett Daily Herald that caught my eye.
Michelle is a member of a First Baptist Church of Glenarden, MD. In this article, she highlights the story of Geneva Pearson who attends First Baptist Church of Glenarden, MD and began a ministry to help people save money during the downturn.
What Are You Doing?
What are you doing in your congregation or what best practices have you heard from other congregations to minister to those most impacted by the recession?
What new ideas do you have to increase our capacity to reach out to our neighbors?
Keep us informed and we'll keep sharing your stories to fuel the imagination and encourage the ministry of NPS Presbyterians.
Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, Executive Presbyter, can be reached at 425.355.0922 or Email Corey.