Ever tried this experiment? You ask someone if they are feeling well. You tell them they look a little pale. You warn them that they seem run down and are susceptible to the flu that is going around. Sure enough, we can influence them to feel unwell and maybe leave work early. I don’t advise doing this, but I believe we are well advised to remember that the voices we listen to can affect a desired result.
I work in an industry that is being very hard hit by the tough economic times. Long-term, top-position employees are losing their jobs. The sad news comes at me daily. There is real reason for these companies to tighten their belts, work more efficiently, cut spending, etc.
At the same time, I see that some of these companies are making decisions based on fear of what might happen. They are cutting people and programs that might actually help them to stay financially healthy in tough economic times, because they are getting pressure to cut something, they think, and it looks good on the bottom line right now.
I’ve also seen news reports and read articles that point out that some very profitable companies were created in depressed times of the past. One man’s dire situation is another’s opportunity for innovation, creation and success. One thing is sure – if you can grow a business during tough times, you are going to look really good in better times.
Churches should be growing in tough times. Yet, I find that some of the churches I visit are taken in by the dire predictions around them. The call to belt tighten that is going on in the business sector has these churches cutting programs, saving money, and discussing stock-piling assets.
They fear losing what they have (people, money, a building), when they ought to be afraid of not taking advantage of opportunity.
Un-churched people are MORE likely to be looking for God, for spiritual guidance and for a church home in these tough times. They are MORE likely to open to a religious discussion now. Our young people need MORE help and guidance, more activities, more support and more opportunities to be together during these tough times. Our senior citizens need MORE financial support, more programs, more opportunity to serve the church and more time with fellow believers during these tough times.
Just like business that are taken in by a “hunker down and just hold on to what you have” mentality, Churches that are trying to hold on to what they have, rather than trying to grow now, will find, I believe, that exactly what they worry about – loss of income and loss of membership – will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. They will not grow now and once times get better they will not have any momentum for growth. They will have lost the infrastructure that would support exponential growth later on.
In a time when we hear of men dying of electrocution while trying to steal copper wire from electric lines, we KNOW times are tough. But this point shows us that it isn’t just the economy falling on slim times – morality and moral choices are in the toilet too!
Tough times are prophesied. So is the return of Jesus, the gospel being preached to the world, the sheep being cared for, and the church never failing. What is your congregation doing to help fulfill THOSE prophesies?
At a time when there are prophets saying “hold on to what you have” and those saying “these times are an opportunity for us,” which voices are you listening to? Either way, the decisions you make now, will dictate your future. The prophecy you make and support will most likely be fulfilled.
Love, Nancy
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