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.