In the midst of news of the global economic meltdown, I believe there are 8 things pastors should do in a crisis, if we want to be “highly effective” –
1. Deal with Fear
There are two extremes in this economic crisis, those who have unnecessary fear, and those who are in ignorant bliss and therefore, have no fear!
2 Timothy 1:7 declares that God has not given us the spirit of fear but now is a good time to have the fear of God. During this economic crisis, God is bringing judgment, not only on the markets but churches too to deal with anything that is not godly in His house. The Church should remember that God requires holiness and examine her priorities in 2009 so that we can say like Isaiah, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
2. Take Prudent Steps (Provide Economic Leadership)
As church leaders we need to look at annual tithes and offerings, what is in our fixed deposit accounts to see if our churches will be viable in the next 12 months should income decrease say by 30%; take the lead in financial planning and reducing costs for the church and also help church members do the same; read the financial sections of the newspapers and be aware of the Malaysian and global economics.
3. Source out Resources
Because of where we are with God, we can attract the blessings of God where others are not able. Are there God-given resources available, for example, micro-credit agencies, scholarships for children’s education and perhaps even loans from large churches? In Genesis 26 we see that Isaac sowed in a time of famine and reaped a 100-fold in the same year and prospered, continued prospering until he was very prosperous! This is the time to sow, because we could prosper in the time of famine.
4. Build with Cash
Be careful of putting our trust in man and be slow to take up loans. We should instead build with cash because God is looking for people who will trust Him to provide.
5. Keep Moving Forward – Stay focused
In the Star, under the ‘Billings and Advertisement’ section, a writer (with an advertising agency) encouraged businesses to “Keep the Faith”, to keep advertising in the downturn. Surely we need to do likewise. Keep moving forward, studying the Word, preaching the gospel, healing and doing good works. In times like these, you need to “advertise” God more and not lose our focus on eternity.
6. Never a more important time to hear from God
Often, when we pray for an open heaven, we would like God to give us ‘gold’, but in the Transfiguration, when the heavens opened, God said, “This is my Son, hear him!” How we need to hear from God and then pause to hear some more!
7. Time to Nurture a “P & N” Philosophy
Jeremiah 22:15-16 tells us that those who look out for the poor and needy will go well. Ezekiel 16:49 highlights the forgotten sin of Sodom: they were proud, had fullness of food, abundance of idleness and did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy, and this was an abomination to the Lord. How many of the prospering churches are looking out for the poor and needy today?
8. Beware the On-coming Moral Meltdown
The No.1 crisis today is not the financial but the moral crisis. With the coming in of President Obama, the world is ushered into a new era where unprecedented immorality is on the rise, and Malaysia will no doubt not be exempted from this onslaught.
There are 3 needs in the Church’s today:
1. Lack of disciples – even in some pastors’ conferences, it is not uncommon to see less than 50% bringing their Bibles.
2. Lack of Resources – many churches are begging and “hinting” to keep afloat. We need to depend on God, not man!
3. Lack of Conviction – the Church is not known for strong moral standards where many who are in moral failure continue to lead.
I believe it will become clear, 4 types of churches will emerge in this Economic Meltdown, those who will:
1. Barely survive
2. Close down
3. Be Strong Churches
4. Be Churches that will make an impact.
Let us pray for disciples, resources and conviction that we may be strong churches that will make an impact in the nation and the nations beyond, as we do the 8 things above.