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How do Churches Cope with the Recession?
| Guest post by: SarahBeth White |
Article Overview: Some scoffers find it hard to believe that churches not only get through hard times but that they actually grow in members and tithes and “donations” from existing church members. The press has always been antagonistic towards the Christian church so what I say here will probably be fodder for some good laughs for non-believers, but I will say it anyway. It is not their favor that I seek.
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How do Churches Cope with the Recession?
Since churches are businesses, they will also feel the effects of the recession, or will they? If you are not a church-goer, Bible thumper, or interested in what we do in church, you will scoff at this article. Especially since America is becoming less a Christian nation with other religions pushing harder than we do to build, to reach the lost and to do the other things laid out for us in the New Testament.
Some scoffers find it hard to believe that churches not only get through these hard times but that they actually grow in members, tithes and "donations" from existing church members. The press has always been antagonistic against the Christian church so what I say here will probably be scoffed at but I will say it anyway.
When people are hurting-financially, spiritually, grieving, and going through many other hard times-they will often turn to the church even if they have never been in church before. Southern Baptist churches in particular since that is the denomination I belong to have a benevolence committee and funds used to help the needy year round but from Thanksgiving on through the holidays, more requests come in for help than any other time of the year. Some churches maintain food pantries, clothes closets, while others can help with power bills and help pay for medicines.
Often church members are hurting from similar experiences, their church families will surround them with love and whatever assistance they might need. My church recently paid my heating bill and it was not small since it was for two months. They asked me to email the particulars and stated that they would handle it. Very soon afterwards, I received an email that my bill was paid in full. Such an answer to prayer as I did not know how I was going to pay it. I got laid off not too long ago.
Also, year round, not just during a recession, or at holiday time, churches have food pantries and clothes closets set up to help those going through difficult times. Just because there is a "recession" in play right now, it does not affect churches or church goers who follow scripture and Biblical teaching putting more emphasis on that than on what the media likes to play up as to how bad economic situations are right now. But again, the traditional media-the major networks and newspapers-have always tended to show bigotry and bias towards the church and prominent church figures especially watching for church leaders who stumble.
In contrast, if you expected the "recession" to cause churches: to close their doors, have lessor monies in the offering plate, turn away the needy or have to let employees go, you will not find any of that in my church or in churches all across the nation. This is the time of massive action and most churches have been prepared for an increase in needs, have more money to function with and have been busily helping people during the recession while you in the media have been too busy harping on how hard things are in businesses across the nation. I have prayed that the media would enter into more churches and their services on Sunday and research how churches function throughout the week to serve the community and beyond their boundaries if need be. I think you are afraid you may find something else while you are visiting and that would be a better knowledge of Jesus, who He was, the peace He gives, and why we do what we do above and beyond any recession.
Finally I am grateful to be a member of an extremely loving and caring church. It makes me feel so much more happy and fulfilled. Also I now have time to spend with my son; time to go hiking with my dog, Mo; and time with my close friends and family. Time = Freedom.
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Article Tags: churches in recession, clothes closets, food pantries, needy, recession, religion, tithing
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com
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About the Author: SarahBeth White RSS for SarahBeth's articles - Visit SarahBeth's website Considered to be highly educated. Enjoy traveling in the U.S. learning about our different cultures. Staunch Republican and Southern Baptist which is considered by some to be a lethal combination. Belonging to the ranks of those laid off, I am rebuilding my life so my writing will soon reflect as much. Burning desire in my soul to write but for two years now the only writing I have done is resumes and cover letters. Cattle on 1000 Hills as my blopspot name http://cattleon1000hills.blogspot.com, Facebook, have lain dormant too long. They are about to bust loose! My friends think I am crazy or brave or both but I have decided to leave the comforts of my 'home' and move to the mountains where I always planned on 'retiring'. I can enjoy hiking with my dog, Mo, sitting in front of my potbellied stove reading and writing, and sitting outside writing with the music of nature in my ears instead of all the sounds of the city which now annoy me. Mo, a Newffie, looks like a bear and we hope to see a black bear but not up close and personal. Mo is about the size of a smaller black bear so he will have to wear the hunting vests I custom made for him when we hike so no one mistakes him for one. I am so excited about our new life and long to begin writing from all that has been saved up during this dormancy. Click here to visit SarahBeth's website   Insights from a Former Homeschooling Mom Part One of Four Part Series How Do You Market Consistently for Successful Growth of an Online Business with no Advertising Budget What is Meant as The Cattle on 1000 Hills Online Internet Marketing Business versus a Dragon in the Basement Why Does this Successful Internet Marketing Business Bear Such an Unusual Name |
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