In this edition of The Baptist Courier, a significant amount of space is devoted to an “Economy Watch,” as we try to provide an overview of the impact which the current financial downturn is having or may have on the ministries of the South Carolina Baptist and Southern Baptist conventions and their member churches.
Don KirklandIn future issues of the Courier, we will look at the effects which the worst recession in recent memory is having on the churches, and how they are responding.
Having said that, I also must point out that with problems come opportunities, and this is true of the monetary crisis that is dominating the consciousness of all Americans.
In his article, “Seeking to Understand Difficult Times,” the state Baptist convention’s executive director, Jim Austin, rightly declares that “people may be more receptive to the gospel because economic securities have been jerked from beneath them.”
A recent article in The New York Times on the growth of evangelical churches during times of economic distress pointed out, in the words of a minister quoted, that “when people are shaken to the core, doors are opened.”
As our executive director emphasized in his Courier article, believers must “capitalize on the times” by finding inexpensive, but effective, ways to tell the story of Jesus to people who are more receptive to and needful of the good news of the gospel.
The financial picture for South Carolina Baptists is not entirely gloomy. In 2008, our churches were “faithful in their support” of the Cooperative Program, according to the convention’s chief financial officer, James Wright, oversubscribing the annual budget.
It must be remembered, though, that the successful financial close of 2008 came at the beginning of a recession which some predict will hold us in its grip at least until the first quarter of 2010.
You and I as believers, as South Carolina Baptists, as Southern Baptists are co-laborers in a cause worthy of our best efforts, and our time to do the work to which we are called is limited by the years allotted to us.
It serves no useful purpose to complain that we could — and that we surely would — do more for our Lord under more favorable circumstances. Now is the only time we have.
Is it possible that the months, and even years, to come might be some of the most fruitful for our denomination, for our churches and for you and me as individual Christians?
We must not underestimate the seriousness, the severity of the economic crisis that is robbing millions of Americans of their jobs, of their resources and of their peace of mind and sense of security. But neither must we underestimate the ability, the willingness, even the eagerness of a loving and all-powerful God to provide for us all that we need to accomplish his purposes in our world.
You and I did not choose the times in which we live. Our only choice is how we respond to them.
“Economy Watch” related stories:
Special Section: Economy Watch
SCBC taking steps to absorb economy’s punch in ’09
South Carolina Baptist institutions prepare for economy’s effects
SBC agencies, institutions cut staff, tighten budgets
South Carolina WMU anticipates ‘high level of service’
Convention staff prepares to serve churches assisting communities during recession
Churches can protect pastor even in tough economy