You Tired?

You tired? Who isn’t? Right? Overnight you were forced to turn on a dime and recreate “church.” Have you found yourself on Monday asking, “now what?” Or perhaps, your response has been what now? To make matters worse, the end seems to not be in view. Who knows how long we will be forced to navigate this? What will that “New Normal,” look like? Are we as a church prepared? Am I, their pastor, prepared?

Questions are the one things we have plenty of. Here is a question that few are asking, how will this impact our ability to remain financially stable? Those are the kind of questions I ask.

I started last winter raising the alarm and advising churches how to navigate through this storm. I knew this was going to be a major storm with a long-lasting impact on churches becoming and remaining financially stable. I came up with a quick 3 Prong Strategy. I encouraged my clients to:

Follow Caution – For each church the path for them was different. Yet for all, it was to use caution, so that our folk felt safe on campus. So, we washed our hands, socially distanced and masked up.

Lead with Compassion – The Church has historically run into every storm and plague as the hands and feet of Jesus. Churches showing compassion are the kind of church a donor wants to give to. (I’m a giving guy, so, I think giving!) (Who does that for you?)

Sustainability through Financial Stability – All these exciting new opportunities will be lost if you can’t keep the proverbial doors open. An existing problem that COVID19 revealed is what a fragile financial foundation many churches have. Giving to the church was already in decline. What will this “New Normal,” mean to that decline? When has it ever been easy to “make budget?” Well, guess what? It just got harder. A lot harder.

And I wanted to know if you were tired! I knew you were tired. I wanted your attention. I wanted you to read for just a bit. Slow down. Take a breath.

See, one of the mistakes I fear leaders are making is letting the pressure of the present detract them from any forward-thinking.

Still with me? Here is what I am thinking about. I am working with my clients to start working on ending the summer well and then building a launching ramp into the fall. At the same time, we’ll start thinking and planning for end of year giving.

So, my team is relaxed at least in the area of stewardship. They know they have someone thinking 30, 60, 90, 120 days, and more out. They know they already have a plan of action of what to do and when to do it. Do you have someone doing that for you? No, No wonder you’re tired!

Follow this link and join my team! https://acts17generosity.com/memberships/

Let me leave you with a real word of encouragement from THE Word,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach

@stewardshipman