For the last 36 months at VALLEY Christian Church we have made decisions to downsize, consolidate and cut our expenses. I'd love to say that it was all because of some prophetic insight that we had into the global economy, but as a Christian, I'm not supposed to lie. Instead, each financial decision we faced we took case by case basis and seriously prayed about it. It was only when we looked back over those decisions that we realized we had actually cut our expenses by over 40%!!! It's always been curious to me, how often we believe God is directing us to expand and build bigger and bigger and rarely, if ever, do we discern that God is directing us to downsize.
With all of these changes, one would think that the ministries of the church have suffered, but nothing could be further from the truth. VALLEY is stronger, healthier and reaching more people (and nations) than ever. So, what did you cut Greg? Here are a few things:
1. Rental of office space. Funny how we don't even miss it. That alone was a 11% cut in expenses).
2. Payroll. We realized that VALLEY is called to recognize, resource and rightly release leaders instead of always looking to hire someone else to do the job for us. Leadership development has become a major thrust in my life and I have to say, as far as pastoring goes, I love it second only to preaching.
3. Debt. Bottom line: Debt chokes out destiny (for individuals and churches)! This one was long overdue, and I can't tell you what a difference it has made!
4. Increased Giving. (That is the CHURCH becoming more generous) With all of the cuts in expenses we have also increased our giving to missions and other ministries.
5. Do It Smarter, Do It Better, Do It Cheaper. It's amazing how we've been able to lower expenses simply by constantly asking the question, Is there a better way to do this that is actually cheaper?"
In my next post I'll unpack, in more detail, "Do It Smarter, Do It Better, Do It Cheaper".
Published on Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 5:05 PM CDT
Obviously, all of us are aware of the present economic conditions in our nation (USA), and the preoccupation so many have searching for any glimmer of hope that things will soon be changing. Yet, week after week, every economic indicator continues to say the same thing; no change. Turn on the news or check it out on-line and RECESSION is the most over used word in America right now.
Here's my question: What if we're not in a recession? What if this is the New Economy for the next 25-50 years? So many of us have forgotten what things were like in the 60's ans 70's. The 80's and 90's were incredible times of prosperity for most of us. The 80's were also called, "The Decade of Decadence" and the 90's weren't much different. Maybe we've gotten so spoiled by prosperity, that we've forgotten what normal life really feels like?
All of these issues have HUGE implications for ministry and the Church. Twenty to thirty years ago, a church of 1,000 would have two full-time pastors on staff. Today, a church of 1,000 is more likely to have 6-8 full-time pastors. Is the answer to pummel the people in the pew on the issues of greed and teach more often on tithing or is God leading his church toward fiscal responsibility and to practice good stewardship as much as we preach it?
These are some of the tough questions that leaders need to ask themselves in these changing economic times. For the last three years at VALLEY Christian Church, we've been downsizing, consolidating and cutting expenses preparing for what we see as, The New Economy. Over the next series of posts, I'd like to continue to share some more of the tough questions we've been asking ourselves, the answers we've come up with, and the changes we've made. If you have any questions of your own on the topic, feel free to ask away.
Published on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 @ 11:59 AM CDT
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. Mark 3:7
I've heard it said before, "A leader who keeps everyone at arms length never accomplishes the maximum". Jesus spoke and ministered to the crowd, but he invested his life and gave himself to a small core of his followers; the disciples (Apostles). They were the ones who received the maximum investment of his life. They were the ones who produced the maximum return for the Kingdom of God. Even within the disciples, Jesus had a smaller circle; Peter, James and John. These three heard words of Jesus and shared experiences with Jesus (i.e. the transfiguration), that the rest of the twelve did not.
As a wise leader follows THE Leader, they will spend more and more of their time developing these two core circles, realizing that the core can make an even greater impact on the crowd than one person ever can. So, if you're a leader, who makes up the core group that you are spending the majority of you time investing your life in today? How big is your core? Are you developing an even smaller group within your core with whom you share it all? How are you intentionally and strategically developing those in your core so that they make a greater impact on the crowd?
Published on Friday, February 19, 2010 @ 11:04 AM CDT
21He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? Mark 4:21
Jesus' believed in the message he was sent to proclaim. He spoke with conviction and with purpose. He knew there was power in his proclamation. In an age where preaching has fallen out of vogue, a wise leader will remember it's not our words that will ever cause a human heart to be transformed, only Christ's. Many leaders in the church today have succumb to gimmicks to draw in unsuspecting outsiders so that hopefully, if all the programming goes right, they might just look under the 'bed' and accidentally stumble upon this strange thing they's rather hide called the Gospel. Just doesn't seem to jive with what Jesus was saying in Mark 4:21, does it?
Leaders who are truly following THE leader, will manifest the same conviction, compassion and commitment he had to faithfully shine forth the light of his truth into the darkness. Another leader, who really did follow Jesus' example, once put it this way, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:15).
Published on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 6:56 PM CDT
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:15-17
Jesus spoke these words after vividly demonstrating for his disciples that leadership means servanthood. It's amazing to think that the one who holds all things together by his word, stooped to perform the task of a common servant; washing his disciples feet.
Jesus' words are not just suggestions for his followers, but rather a commandment. He tells us to do as we have seen him do. Too often, when it comes to leadership, those who have been given titles begin to feel like they are too good for the towel. I've encountered the shock of this prideful attitude many times disguised with words like, "My gifts just aren't being utilized" or "They're just trying to keep me down" when a leader with a title is asked to pick up a towel. Funny, how the 'Creator of the Cosmos' didn't feel like foot washing was beneath his place in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus challenges the ego of a leader and reveals the "Do as I say and not as do" mindset held by so many leaders in the church today. It has always been curious to me, not only did Jesus wash the disciples feet, but it appears he was the only one to recognize the need! Simply stated, "The default setting for a leader must always be servanthood". This was the mindset of the King of Kings. this should certainly be the mindset of those who call Him. "Master".
So what jobs or opportunities to serve do you feel like are beneath you today? How does Jesus' actions challenge your ego and excuses? What is a need that others are missing that God may be showing you to meet, personally?
Published on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 1:30 PM CDT
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