Is there a shortage of resources to do God’s work?  Or is there a shortage of vision for what God wants to do? Some of our congregations are struggling financially. They wonder if it is time to reduce staff or missionary personnel or if they should sell part of the property to make budget.

These are difficult discussions for any church. But what if financial difficulty is one way God gets a church’s attention to help them clarify His vision for their church? Asking how God wants a church to use its resources differently than in the past shifts the focus from what needs to be cut from the budget to a renewed sense of purpose as a congregation.

Recently one church was having a difficult discussion about declining finances and a possible need to cut staff. In the middle of the meeting one perceptive leader wondered aloud, “Is God asking us to release one of the staff and temporarily fund him to plant a church?” 

They are now asking hard but creative questions about how to ‘multiply transformational churches’ right around them rather than thinking only about managing a difficult time. They have committed to praying for God’s will in order to cast a new vision that will inspire the congregation to come together to fund what the Lord desires.     

God does not need us to give to Him what He already owns.  In Psalm 50:10 He says “… I own the cattle on a thousand hills.”  Haggai 2:8 says that God owns the silver and gold as well.  With hearts fully dedicated to Him, exalting Him in praise, we can trust Him to provide for what He envisions.  Jesus assures us in Matthew 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him,” and in Matthew 7:11, “… how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” If He wants to give a church more resources He will do so, when He knows that church will honor Him. 

So what do we do when the giving seems to have stagnated and the treasurer informs us the current shortfall will not allow us to do what we thought God was leading us to do? Consider that God may be getting our attention so we can take the opportunity to call the church to worshipful prayer, seeking clarity of His will for our church at this turn in the road. God may be giving a new focus to how He wants to reach others with the Gospel.  Once determined, God’s vision must be clearly cast for people to begin to open up with generosity. Most people will give to a compelling vision consistently shared.   

Will your vision be worth giving to generously?  Givers in your church want to make sure they are making a good investment in something that is important to them. An important bottom-line for casting a compelling generosity vision: Pray and be convinced of the vision God gives. Share it clearly. Keep it before the people regularly. Invite those who are benefitting from the vision to share their stories. Celebrate victories.

For more insight, see the Leadership Network discussion on developing a culture of generosity (http://leadnet.org/how-to-communicate-a-vision-that-inspires-generosity/). 

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Peter Johnson

Senior Pastor at Hanoverdale Church
Peter has served as an associate pastor in NH and at Montvale Evangelical Free Church in Montvale, NJ. For nearly ten years he served as senior pastor of Northern Valley Evangelical Free Church in Cresskill, NJ before joining the Eastern District staff from 2007-2017. He is now Senior Pastor of Hanoverdale Church. Peter and Karen make their home in Hershey, PA, where Pete enjoys painting (art, not houses), gardening, and talking to his neighbors across the fence.

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