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April 23, 2009
One church choses hope in the midst of economic despair
This recession has been a nightmare for some churches.
USA Today reports church giving in America dropped somewhere between $3 billion and $5 billion last year. Another report said as many as 20 percent of all churches have cut staffs.
It was no different for Cape Christian Fellowship according to Pastor Gingerich.
The giving increased each of those 20 years, overflowing in the past five years of that run to the tune of a spectacular 23 percent increase each year.
Then, the recession.
But this church's reaction to the economic climate was different; they chose to trust in God. They made some hard decisions: cutting staff, pastor took a voluntary 30% cut in pay, etc. Perhaps the most visible was the looming discussion about their new building project: would they continue to move forward and build or put it on hold?
After weighing their options and a good bit of due dilligence, the church decided that moving forward with their building project would not only stimulate the economy in their community but would be a sign of hope.
"We ought to be the people who bring hope to the world. If we can do that by putting up this building, well, wow! What a statement that makes."
What an unusual (and refreshing) response: hope in the midst of despair!
Pastor, are you hopeful or doubtful that God will continue to be faithful to you and the ministry of your church in spite of the current economic circumstances?
Your people will mirror your response.
Posted by bstroup at April 23, 2009 4:07 PM
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