Dear OnFire Folks:
We're back
from
This week I have the first part of the results from the "million dollar question" I asked just before Christmas. This week we'll cover some basic and general results. Some of you, however, had some specific plans in mind. Next week I'll pass those along because they are great examples of vision in action.
Keep in mind - there is no one right answer. Even still, I was surprised at the breadth of the responses. Clearly the issues are complex, but I hope they give you something to think about.
-------------------
A few weeks
ago, I told you about a church in
These questions really
bothered me, and became something of a preoccupation. I asked you. I asked
others. I even asked the man sitting with me on the plane to
I promised to send you the
results. I think they are important, both for the answers, and for the thoughts
they provoke. You see, I don’t think this is merely
an academic issue. The "million dollar question" (as it has come to
be called in our house) is not just a set of mental monkey bars to entertain
idle minds. As wealth grows, it is increasingly possible that some of our
churches might deal with a large gift, if not a million, at least a substantial
amount.
The Results
PRAYER - Despite the
emphasis many of us place on prayer, only a few people suggested this. LS
asked, "How would God like to see the money to be used? Ask for His
directions." Another wrote, "Even if the answer seems to be staring
you in the face, prayer is needed. Remember, it is NOT your money, it is the Lord’s."
INVESTMENT? - I was not surprised to see that
some thought the money should be invested for ministry purposes. Several
suggested that only the interest be used. Mission, both local and foreign, were
popular targets for spending in this scheme, although some included building
upkeep.
Others were not in favour of investment. Many expressed concern over how money
in the bank might be perceived by the membership. MS wrote, "The
temptation would be to ease up on individual giving." CR advised against
using the money "to finance current operations. For if
you do, members and adherents...may reduce their giving. After all, the
church has lots of money."
The
"moderates" in the "investment debate" suggested plans
to deplete the amount over time. 10 years seemed to be the common figure in
this kind of "reverse mortgage."
TITHE - Several suggested a
tithe on the amount toward a mission project.
FACILITIES - Buildings and
loans were popular spending areas. Again, this comes as no surprise since many
of us worship in aging facilities and owe money for projects or renovations. GR
commented that debts should be paid, "therefore freeing up your tithes and
offerings for other things." Some would change their facilities to make
them more ministry friendly, while others were in favour of building new. MJ wanted "a building project
with the focus of having facilities to meet today’s
needs."
PROGRAMS VS STAFF -
Programs of various kinds were also on people’s
minds. "Expand youth ministry programs." "Train
people within your church who have been called into ministry."
"Buy a bus for transportation."
Not all agreed with the
idea of using the money for programming. One pastor wrote, "I have always
thought it would be wise to invest the money in some way that would allow the
church to add staff." Another ministry colleague commented that
"investing in people is the key to effective organizations and
ministries....get the right people in the right positions to ensure we have
fresh vision, enthusiastic leadership and effective workers to carry out the
mission."
I hope this provokes some
thought around the issues. Even more, I hope it helps you to dream God's dreams
and see God's vision as you are involved in your own congregations.
Be On Fire,
ON FIRE is a weekly
letter of encouragement by