One of the most important things any church leader must know is the demographic data about the people he or she serves. In our case in Mansfield, the economic facts of life are not the best. According to a recent Mansfield News Journal article, Mansfielders have the lowest per capita income of all major Ohio cities. And it's not getting any better. Mansfield residents also had the lowest growth in their income of all major Ohio cities. Most commenters are discussing the lack of opportunity or blaming the poor economy around our area. Some blame the unions, outsourcing, the government (at every level), or education. However, pastors must look at things from a different angle. How should we, as leaders of Crossroads, respond to the fact that our neighbors may not be faring so well? Click to follow the link to read more.
Here are just a few ways we should be thinking about this news. Can you add to my list?
- Know that our people will struggle with money issues. Mansfield will not be made up of wealthy people, for the most part. Hey, that's just fine from the perspective of ministry! The Bible has alot to say about money and wealth and priorities. We have the opportunity to preach a true gospel message that says that we worship God and not money.
- Know that our people may need some financial counseling. Whatever ministry environment one finds himself in, the church should respond with help. In our case, we should be helping our people manage the limited income they have coming in. That's one of the reasons I'm so excited about bringing on a Stewardship Pastor on January 1.
- Be cautious in terms of church budgets. Finding the right balance between faith and reason is always a struggle, but especially so when the local economy is so fragile.
- Know the resources. People will call our ministry all the time looking for financial help, help we often don't have. But rather than turn away without caring, we work hard to point people to help available within Richland County outside of our own ministry.
- Keep a humble heart that is close to the reality of our poorest neighbors. Be deliberate to involve yourselves in ministry opportunities to serve the poor - feed them, clothe them, love them - as if you were doing if for Christ himself. It's easy to be casual about this and to be guilty of not seeing the poor. In my case (and many other staffers) I make it a monthly habit to partner with the Salvation Army, preparing meals for our most vulnerable neighbors.
- Be involved with fellow Crossroaders. We should be taking care of our fellow members just as if they were family, for indeed they are. That means being involved in small groups, communities where it's easy to ask, "How's it going financially? How can I help out?"
Any suggestions for other things we could add to this list? Comments are always welcome.
