Below are some ideas on how to minister to those dealing with the difficulties of the economic downturn. Take them, use them, spread them around. Make a difference by bringing light to those in need.

Ways to help people make things happen:

• Sincerely listen to the needs of others and make notes on how you can help them
• Ask around – many of us know someone else that could use some help
• Volunteer at your church or in your community to help support those in need
• Connect those looking for part-time or full-time work with those in need
• Make connectors out of others by giving them 2-3 needs and have them ask around for help
• Own a business? Find ways that you can offer part-time work at a fair price that require little-to-no training

Ways to provide the essentials:

• Collaborate with neighbors to buy items in bulk to save money
• Provide a car ride for someone 1-2 times per week to reduce their gas needs
• Make treats such as home-baked breads, cookies, pies, and other things that bring a smile to someone’s face
• Create gift baskets of essentials – light bulbs, school supplies, paper goods, etc.
• Provide those in need with a pre-paid card for gas, groceries, long distance calls, or gift certificates to a favorite restaurant or a home supply store

Have an idea? Post it in the comments for others to benefit!

While not everyone has been negatively impacted by the economic downturn, some have been. No matter what you do, it is time to do something!

God will provide, even during an economic downturn

If you are one of those that have been directly impacted due to the problems in the housing market or the drop in the stock market, things may tough for you and your family right now. The wonderful news is that, as God’s children through Jesus Christ, God has promised to take care of our needs:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Matthew 6:25-31 (NIV)

While you may have read these verses before, they can take on a whole new meaning when going through a tough economic time. Consider carefully what Jesus is saying: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Worrying about the physical things of this world is pointless. God knows what we need and he’ll provide them: food, drink, clothing, and shelter.
While it is difficult to imagine, you will get through the economic downturn. Things may not be the same before, but that may be a good thing actually. Let’s read a little further:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

As many of us have already experienced, it is during this time that God teaches us to grow and depend more on Him than on ourselves and what we can produce for ourselves. If we are seeking Him first, He will provide the rest. Our God is a Father who loves us and wants to provide for us, just like we do for our own children.

I really like how The Message rephrases these words from Jesus:

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body… What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.”

Matthew 6:25,31 (The Message)

During this time of fear and uncertainty, you have a choice: are you going to focus on what you are NOT getting, or what God IS giving?

If you are not a child of God yet, these verses may not mean as much to you. I encourage you to consider giving your life over to Him, that He may meet both your physical and spiritual needs and guide you throughout the rest of your life. You can find out more about giving your life to Jesus here.

For the past couple of days I’ve been mad. I guess you could say it was a bit beyond mad—I was angry! I wanted to strike back, I wanted to yell, and I wanted to hit something (don’t worry, I didn’t!!). I was angry because it’s simply not fair!

I could pretend it doesn’t bother me. I could act like all is ok. But it’s not! Don’t tell me I will grow from the experiences. Don’t tell me I should rejoice in troubles and trials. Don’t tell me it’s a privilege to “suffer”. I want it to be easy for once!

I was angry with God. Really angry.

Read the full post

Humility in Ministry

In Luke 14, Jesus is explaining to the guests in the house of a prominent Pharisee about humility:

“…when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:10-11 NIV)

I think it is a good reminder that we must remain humble in our ministry. It is easy to get so involved with our ministry that we forget who provides the grace and who is receiving the grace. We aren’t providing it, we are receiving it and passing it on. Don’t get caught up with pride in what you are doing for God.

Be excited! Be encouraged! Be proud of the results of your service through God’s provisions! Just be careful not to think you can do it without Him!

Charity in Ministry

Jesus goes on to explain where our hearts should be focused:

“…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14 NIV)

It is easy to get caught up in the latest technologies. From blogs to Twitter to websites with streaming media, we have some amazing capabilities at our disposal now. But if we forget to focus on those in need, especially those that do not have access to these things, then we are neglecting those that Jesus told us to focus on the most!

Is your ministry structured on reaching those that cannot repay you? Are you focused on first reaching those that cannot help you? Choose today to change the focus of your ministry to those in need of charity.

1. Are you ready to give to others more than you take from the church? If your heart isn’t focused on the desire to minister to others in need, then you aren’t ready yet
2. Have you forgiven those that you consider responsible for causing the burnout, including yourself? If you haven’t forgiven them, it will interfere with your ministry
3. Has the time off from volunteering brought you closer to God or further away? The burnout was most likely caused by serving God more than seeking God – have you restored your relationship or are you still quenching the Holy Spirit through anger or other busyness?
4. Are you considering the same ministry or something new? Joining the same ministry can often produce the same results if left unchecked by both you and the ministry leader
5. If you are joining back as a ministry leader, what is your plan to prevent burnout this time? How have you dealt with your potential to overwork and burnout?
6. Do you have an accountability partner to ensure that you are not going to burnout again? Find someone that can hold you accountable to tell the truth on the number of hours you are putting in each week. Be honest with them and report what you’ve done for the week. This partner needs to be someone who is mature and have dealt with burnout successfully in the past.
7. Do you have a written understanding with your staff/leader on how often you will be serving? Many ministry leaders fail to create a job description and requirement for the positions they need filled. Ask for one and insist that it define a duration (e.g. 3-6 months) and the number of service times expected from you per month.

Use these set of questions to help determine if you are ready to return. Whatever you do, make sure you are focused on how God is going to use you in ministry to make a powerful impact tomorrow, not on how you burned out yesterday.

The thing we forget is that it is so easy to forward. Just hit the ‘Fwd’ button, type in a bunch of friends emails (we may even have auto-completion of addresses to make it even easier), and hit ‘Send’. That’s it! Now, all of your friends can read the email and take action as well.

The problem is that it is often easier to do this than to consider the consequences:

1. You may be forwarding false information easily found on Snopes or other myth-buster sites
2. You may be encouraging a new believer to do the same thing, causing them to stumble
3. You may be ruining your witness to others by using someone else’s email to speak for you
4. You are failing to say something meaningful over email in an impersonal way
5. You may lose a valuable friend (I’ve seen it happen!)

Next time, stop and think before you Fwd:!

Needless to say, It was quite a blessing! We prayed freely, conversationally, and personally. We shared a very personal time together with the Lord. It also helped remind me about what it is like during those first few months of dedicating your life to Christ – that “first love” that is easily forgotten. Finally, it illustrated much of what I write about here – take the time to spend with others before you add more to your overburdened workload – whenever you can. That is where the real ministry is at!
[tags]church ministry, time management, volunteer management[/tags]