It's the Economy!

Ever wonder how will the economy affect your ability to raise funds?

“It’s the economy, stupid!” Reportedly that sign was in the front of Bill Clinton’s campaign bus during his first bid for the presidency. In actuality the phrase, coined by James Carville, was only used internally. Yet it helped set the tone for Clinton’s message throughout the campaign. Clinton went on to unseat the senior George Bush even though Bush had successfully won the First Gulf War and helped bring down the Iron Curtain. All those overseas accomplishments were not enough to stop what really mattered most to people in America, the price of a gallon of milk. By focusing on the economy and playing to peoples fears Clinton won his first of two terms. Now after 9-11 the economy is more than ever in people’s minds.

Of all the questions that we face at The Charis Group the question about the economy and its affect upon churches is often our most asked question. This week’s volume will deal with this very important issue and how you need to address it as a Christian leader.

Is the economy really bad?

What is interesting is that the numbers don’t point to an economy that is all that bad. Consider that joblessness is at an all time low. The stock market for the last year has consistently been not only above the 10,000 mark but for most of the year above or at the 11,000 mark. True, interest rates are on a slight rise but they are a far cry from the point they rose during the Carter administration. Gasoline prices may be high but people still drive SUV’s, they still eat at McDonald’s and they still stand in line to watch the newest Hollywood movie release.

The economies health is more of a regional issue than a national issue. While the economy may be good in Atlanta and Dallas it is bad in places like Flint, Michigan. If overall it is good, why do so many if asked say the economy is bad? For one thing the economy has become a political football. Which ever party is out of power will always make the economy look worse than it actually is. To say that the economy is good gives people little reason to change ruling parties. For another thing the press, which is always looking for a bad story, paints a picture that is often less then rosy. As a result the over all view is that the economy is bad. A friend once told me, “Perception is the cruelest form of reality!” Though our present situation is better than in past years, the feel of things causes people to perceive that we are worse off than we are.

That perception can hinder you in the advancement of your dream and vision. You may find board members, key leaders and church members more hesitant than ever to move forward in faith. It may even cause you to pause on your way to realizing God’s best for your ministry. It may or may not be the best time for you to move forward but make sure it’s based upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit and solid facts not perception.

So, how do we combat this perception?

Steps of action to take when the economy may be an issue

Find God’s vision for your ministry. The real issue is what is God saying to you? As Christian leaders we should be the ones that are hearing from God and leading our people towards the vision that God has given us. Too many leaders have their fingers up in the air determining which way the wind is blowing rather than praying to sense the blowing wind of the Spirit. The real issue is not the economy but the leading of the Holy Spirit. Find God’s vision for your ministry and let it burn in your heart. You will be surprised how every thing else will fall into place.
Focus on a compelling vision. Compelling vision always trumps a bad economy. People give to that which really matters to them. Cast a vision that your project will impact eternity and you will find raising funds much easier. Fail to cast a compelling vision and even in the best of economic times you will find the funds coming in slowly, if at all. You need to know how to cast a vision for your project that will result in maximum dollars being raised. You need to be able to identify the various financial segments of your church and craft answers to the questions that they have.
Correctly assess your local situation. As we have stated the economy should more properly be viewed as a regional issue rather than a national issue. Again, if you pastor in Flint, Michigan you might indeed have difficulty raising all you would want. However, if your town or city is experiencing growth it might be the best time to move aggressively forward. Don’t let the economy stop you however from what you believe is the leading of the Holy Spirit. It may however mean a delay in timing. It could mean you will need some creative financing. A wise steward counts the cost but that does not mean he decides not to build!
Evaluate the alternatives. What alternatives do you have that would allow you to keep growing without building? Another service? A satellite location? Modular buildings? Exhaust every creative avenue so that you can answer those that would ask about alternatives. Most of the time you have already done this and more. The alternative of waiting until times are better is never a good alternative. In previous Stewardship Coaches we have talked about the price for delaying your project in terms of dollar escalation and loss of growth. In the end a delay without good reason can all but halt your growth.
Develop a plan that is economy proof. Knowing how to move forward in the worst of times can mean the difference in continued growth or stagnation. Donors, especially high impact donors want to know if what you are proposing makes sense and that you can pull it off. Do you know how to navigate through the various tracks that a project has? Have you lined up all those various tracks with their particular time lines? Perhaps you cannot pull off your project in one capital campaign. Do you have a plan of how to address that? When Nehemiah led the nation of Israel to rebuild the walls he had a plan of action. The vision was given to him in chapter one but the plan was developed in chapter two. What is your plan?
Know your history. The best indicator of our future is our past. As you consider whether the time is right for that next project consider what churches have done in other economic hard times. During the Carter administration interest rates rose to almost twenty per cent. Yet did churches cease to build during that time? They could not afford to lose momentum by delaying their projects. Within a few years interest rates went back down and smart churches refinanced. Each time our stock market has plunged it has always rebounded and surpassed the high mark before the plunge. Don’t let the market swings deter you from God’s best. The economy is cyclical. God’s vision He has given you is not!
Preach it brother! Don’t stop telling the story that God has burned into your heart. Preach it from the platform with passion. Talk about it at every leadership setting. Talk about it with your staff. Talk about it in individual settings. Keep the focus on the vision. With confidence enthuse those around you that the vision is possible. Believe it yourself and then passionately communicate it to your people.

Bill Clinton kept the focus on the economy and realized his life long dream. Two years earlier no one would have given him a chance. In fact at one point during the primary season he looked all but finished. An amazing string of early victories in primaries earned him the name of the Comeback Kid. Against all odds he unseated an incumbent president.

The odds may look bleak for your vision. Perhaps a bank has turned you down. Your leaders may be hesitant as they look at the economic future. All sorts of obstacles might be in your path. Yet if it is indeed a God given vision it will succeed if you faint not. Don’t give up on the dreams and visions that God has given you. Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Keep pressing on!
Mark Brooks

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