The economy does not affect Jesus, and churches can grow even if the economy fails. Even if the economy as we know it fails tomorrow, God’s church will still grow.
Now friends, I’m here to tell you that the economy does not affect the church negatively. Not at all. If anything, we can use this so-called failing economy as a tool to witness and spread the gospel to others.
Sadly, most of the people in the United States feel that our economy is failing and heading towards a depression. This should not effect how we as believers feel. We still have the hope of Heaven through our Savior Jesus Christ. We know how this story ends.
So to those whose hope appears to be in worldly treasures (our economy), introduce them to One who never fails. Introduce them to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let them know that His love never ends and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
To those who mourn because their bank account may not be as large as they like because of this so-called failing economy, let them know about the unfailing love of Jesus Christ.
This is not a time cry about our economy. It’s time to act and reach others in our community. Invite folks in your town to a place the economy cannot touch, The Church!
Here’s another tip for you. Host a Fall Festival at your church. Invite everyone. Run an ad in the paper, send flyers to every neighborhood, advertise on local radio stations and post it online. Call it the “The Economy Can’t Touch This” festival. Have fun with it.
You want your church to grow? Spread cheer, and leave the doom and gloom for news agencies.
Meredith Gould
October 16, 2008
Amen to all this. Philippians 4:12-13 and all that! (Note: was directed to this post via twitter.)
Frank
October 17, 2008
The “cheeriness” can’t be the hide-your-head-in-the-sand type. Rather we should always be proclaiming the hope He offers. It’s also a good time to minister to all who troubled. This weekend, we’ve changed the sermon focus to:
1. Trust in Jesus
2. Pray
3. Be living examples of hope
4. Worship together
5. Hold in your heart that the best is yet to come
Archie Mck
October 20, 2008
The church can definitely and decisively grow during a time where people are re-evaluating their values. As you said, there are those who will be humbled by the prices of their stocks, no doubt we’ve been headed towards a bear market for quite some time. I think I would just be careful not to think of it as a “fun” time, but as a great opportunity. There’s also those who are retired living on their investments, those who were planning their child’s college educations and others who have lost their jobs (esp. those in marketing, which has downsized industry wide) Does God remain the same? Of course! Is the timelessness of the gospel any different? No. I just don’t know how I’d feel integrating a “Economy” spin on it, that might drawn the attention you mentioned to it. I would rather stand behind an event free of economic jargon but rather loaded with freedom of a relationship with God. Just a thought on wording.
stevi
October 27, 2008
It sounds good to say be cheerful while the media is all doom and gloom, and put your hope in God instead of treasures, but the economic situation does hurt people, and we can’t ignore that. To the head of family that just lost his/her job, hearing “the economy doesn’t touch us!” or “don’t worry about money!” is not encouragement. People are genuinely concerned for their ability to support their families. And even if their personal situation is of their own making (too much house, too much car, too much debt, etc), I think the church needs to come along side those folks and help them get through it. Not with phony cheerfulness, but saying “Yeah, this IS tough, but you’re not alone.” Christians tend to put a fake “I’m OK” mask on, which makes it hard for those in tough circumstances to ask for help. We need to be the sort of community, where even the “pillars” of the church feel free to say “Hey I messed up, I’m in over my head, this is sucking the life out of me.” And also a place where the poor feel welcome, and not judged as if their poverty were all their fault (even if they have contributed to it).