Cooperate
This is a great time to emphasize what our Baptist associations are really all about. The primary reason associations exist is to bring churches together in cooperation. With the downturn in the economy and churches facing the possibility of shrinking offerings, this is a good time to encourage churches to cooperate in order to achieve the ministry of the local area.
Monty HaleSmaller churches in the association can particularly benefit from this cooperation. Many larger churches have opportunities that could be extended to smaller churches, thereby establishing a relationship that could energize the work in the association. This cooperation leads to synergy. The concept of working together to accomplish more than one person or church body ever could is biblically based and essential in order for the work to be completed in a God-honoring manner.
Remain optimistic
Though the news is increasingly bad, we have a great opportunity to share the wonderful provision of our Lord. The Old Testament records many setbacks that the people of God experienced. These were both economic and spiritual. During each of these times of hardship, the Father would speak through prophets and leaders proclaiming his faithful commitment to provide for them.
The people cried out to God and asked for his blessing. These tough times helped them realize the provision of the Lord and his ability to give them exactly what they needed. Now would be a great time to remind the present day people of God of that continued provision and his abundance. We should be realistic, but this is not the time to be fatalistic or condemning.
Focus
If we experience a lack of funds, there will be some things that will need to be trimmed or cut out altogether. In some cases this may be a setback to essential ministries, but in most cases it will help the association and churches focus on the essentials of ministry.
Some may desire to move toward a survival mentality. Instead, this is an opportunity to focus on the ministry God has given the association and the churches. As leaders focus on the essentials of ministry, they should practice the river principle. If leaders set the boundaries properly, the water will flow appropriately. Without these boundaries, the water floods, destroys and makes a mess. When a decision has to be made about expenditures, leaders should ask the question: “Is this in the river of essential ministry?” If not, then we should delay it or not do it at all. If it is, then by all means focus upon those things. In some cases that will be a tough decision, but the times call for tough decisions to be made.
The recession will cause continued stress on our ministries. But if we cooperate, remain optimistic and focus, we will come out on the other side with a new direction from our Lord.
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