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November 18, 2008
God’s Voice in the Global Market Meltdown
by Dave Gibbons
I imagine you may be paying more attention to the market news. Our 401Ks have turned into a 201Ks! The markets are in transition. Most likely this recession will not be quickly fixed with bailouts and the lowering of interest rates. The unraveling of our security seems to be happening at unprecedented speed, leaving many disoriented and stressed.
This is affecting churches too. Giving is down. Layoffs are happening not only among our members but also our church staffs. I spoke to one friend who said their giving is over thirty percent below what was expected. Many of us in church leadership are facing hard decisions. To avoid some of these hard choices by closing our eyes only delays the inevitable pain.
When chaos happens it's easy to just hunker down, think of quick strategies to get out of the mess, or make rash choices. But perhaps slowing down for a season of reflection would do us well. What might God be saying to me, to our country? While we gravitate quickly to happy endings and stories of inspiration, perhaps a period of confession and repentance is also in order. Could this be a disciplining from God?for America?for our churches? for me?
Sure it's easy to shamelessly wag our finger at Wall Street bankers, traders, and lenders. Their avarice, greed, and ostentatious ways are notorious. But before we strain our finger, let's not forgot who they've been working for. We're also involved in their trades, their transactions, and the thirst for MORE. The hard reality is, we are Wall Street. We are the lenders, we are the traders, and now we are the debtors.
The church is not untainted by this. I understand a need to be a healthy and purposeful church, but have we gone overboard with our focus on formulas, numbers, size, influence, marketing techniques, and branding? Have we forgotten what makes the church the church? At the end of the day, are we really driven by God's heart? Are we really motivated by Christ's love and not the money or the numbers?
Of late the church has become increasingly "cause" focused. Justice and advocacy is our mantra, but how much do we need to pour into advertising this? I thought the right hand wasn't supposed to know what the left hand was doing? How much do we really need to be spending on self-promotion within the church?
While in Thailand, the Muslims we worked with on one of the southern islands were sick of the Western "help" they received. They said after the tsunami, "western Christians came to give us things without asking what we needed, and then they took pictures with their banners and left." Their conclusion, "The Christians used us."
Perhaps just as these economic times reflect the greed and lusts of our capital markets, they also shed light upon the darkness of the church. I'm writing this in an airplane knowing that I too struggle with affections that cause me to drift away from my God. Given to my own thirst for material items and the good life, I too can forget the true wealth I have in Christ.
Then I remembered this mystical, unexpected encounter of the Spirit from earlier in the week. I had a sacred moment that came upon me and overwhelmed me with emotion. Two young men shared with me some temptations they were dealing with. In that moment as they were sharing, I was quickly reminded of what my father-in-law told me twenty years ago before I entered the pastorate. He said, "Dave, be careful of the big three: money, interactions with women, and pride." As I recalled his words with these two promising leaders whom I deeply love, the words from I John 2:15-17 flooded my soul.
Love not the world. Neither the things in the world. For anyone that loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world,
The Lust of the Flesh.
The Lust of the Eyes.
And the Pride of Life.
Is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world passes away and the lusts thereof. . . But he that does the will of God abides forever.
As I shared this passage, I felt God's presence much like I did when I first read those words in Telluride, Colorado, at a youth retreat in the middle of the Rockies. I vividly remember God speaking with me in the midst of the chaos of my parent's divorce and the fracturing of our home, the loss of our socio-economic standing, the deafening sound of a family devastated by broken dreams: "?and the world passes away but he that does the will of God abides forever." It was an invitation into an unshakeable kingdom, a bed-rock of safety in the midst of a long nightmare.
Comments
Dave,
Such good reminders, and challenges for us in these uncertain and scary days.
The battle to change the way we do life and ministry will be tough. We are so smothered by the need to buy the latest ministry tool, or go to the upcoming seminar, all which costs us and the church money.
Case in point. As I read your challenging thoughts my eyes are drawn to the flashing ads in the sidebar of the blog. Do I really need "Screenflex" barriers at my church? Yes, things need to change...I am just wondering if we area really willing to change.
Posted By: Randal Kay | November 19, 2008 11:29 AM
I think you've assessed our situation correctly. In America we idolize stuff and more stuff, even in our churches.
We went from simple worship from the heart to choirs, bands, orchestras, fog lights, laser lights and so on. We went from simply having our children sit at our feet to developing a Jesus themed Disneyland on our campus. We went from being those who simply proclaim the Word to being showman, growth experts and cultural icons.
I do believe God is taking us behind the woodshed, because He love us enough to not let us continue down the path we've chosen.
God wants us to return to that yearning for His presence, nothing more and nothing less. Don't get me wrong, He can still use all of those things I've mentioned, but the "extras" will also be luring your attention.
Posted By: Carl Willis | November 19, 2008 3:34 PM
An interesting observation in my neighborhood…we have several family around us that live six to a three bedroom house. As an American, that seems overboard. But, is it? Is it crazy to think that, by choice, we would choose a smaller house or invite another family to live with us? Would that be crazy to make actual, major changes to how we live? How would that affect our faith and the faith of others?
Thoughtful article…I linked to http://www.newchurchreport.com to share it with others- thanks!
Posted By: Scott in Vegas | November 20, 2008 10:17 AM
I agree that the effects of the economy are present in the local church. However, lately I suggested to our church members to bring help wanted ads and post them for our members. I am encouraged that there are still several opportunities available in our community. Every week there are jobs posted for persons to inquire about. The Lord is our Shepherd....
Posted By: Johnny Johnson | November 20, 2008 11:06 PM
Thanks for your honest, insightful article. I am intrigued by the churches response inlight of the economic crisis We (as in society) seem to be where we are because of GREED, CORRUPTION & FEAR, and it seems the church has followed suit. Perhaps if the church led by way of GENEROSITY, INTEGRITY and LOVE we would be a leading force in the midst of global crisis?!
Posted By: Sonelta | November 21, 2008 6:39 AM
What did happen to the US.It did forget its poor, and to provide them with a descent and affordable health care system .If iread advertisements which tell me save three to five thousand dollars a year on health care premium .Than I do ask the question what is the real premium .Who can afford all of this .Health care should never be a profit object .And it should be ther for every one .If I read that seniors have to come up with 175 , 000.00 dollar top buy themselves in at a care facillity . How much yet do they have to pay every month on top of this .How do we look upon the Gospelhow well do we live up to the words spoken by Jesus . I do have some difficulty with understanding all of this looking at the amounts given above incomparising to the words of God (Jesus) ,Blessings john Dcn
Posted By: Rev. John Flipsen | November 22, 2008 11:21 AM
Certainly a challenge for the church today to stand up in integrity. A prophetic call for repentance in light of the current situation. Thank you
http://otiumsanctum.com
Posted By: Sonelta | November 24, 2008 11:02 AM
Dave
way to go...... liked it
Posted By: Bill Hull | November 27, 2008 10:06 PM
Most of the "mega-churches" also have "mega-mortgages" that need to be serviced: i.e., paid off, refinanced, etc. We have mortgaged our future to get the "now."
Posted By: Bill Harnist | November 30, 2008 7:41 PM
I so agree with his statement:
"Of late the church has become increasingly “cause” focused. Justice and advocacy is our mantra, but how much do we need to pour into advertising this? I thought the right hand wasn’t supposed to know what the left hand was doing?" -
- we become so much about the program and when someone asks "why are we doing this" to leadership, the response is often, "well so and so church does this" and "it is the modern way of doing things. . ."-
We need to respond to questions by asking What would Jesus have us do.
As Cat Stevens wrote in his song, [yes, I know where he is spiritually, but there is wisdom anyway there]- "We keep on building till there's no more room up there..."
Rilke said, Live the questions-
we need to ask the questions- what are we doing and why -
cornelia seigneur
Posted By: Cornelia Becker Seigneur | December 3, 2008 12:49 AM
Dave, Your comment about Christians who do their good deeds, then take photos with their banner in the background, made me confess and repent. I've been guilty of using the cause of Christ for my own advancement way too many times.
Forgive me, Lord. Let me serve you, not me try to figure out how you can serve me.
Posted By: jarrod | November 20, 2009 11:22 AM
I've seen stats that say about 87% of a churches resources go for overhead and internal(top down) programs and about 13% go to missions. A glitzy new sound system and marketing plan or help the poor, marginalized and oppressed? (by giving a hand up vs a hand out) People in general are successfully creating and looking for sustainable, holistic ways to have impact and bring world change. They do not perceive the church as a vehicle to do so.
"Dave, be careful of the big three: money, interactions with women, and pride."
You might want to be more specific about the type of interactions being referred to here. Does this mean professional or social interactions with women are to be feared, avoided and viewed among the worst sins? or that any interactions will lead to sin so women should be alienated? You might (when considering your conversations about "justice and advocacy") want to consider the lens and light in which you frame women who are also valuable contributors and promising leaders in God's work.
Posted By: clg | November 20, 2009 1:13 PM
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