tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post5064969338383554011..comments2023-10-19T10:34:33.030-05:00Comments on Praisegod Barebones: Economic LemonadeBart Barberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14021102240441576393noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-8274983882506170762009-08-29T16:21:08.364-05:002009-08-29T16:21:08.364-05:00Tim:
I noticed at your blogsite that you serve as...Tim:<br /><br />I noticed at your blogsite that you serve as a senior pastor but are pursuing a DMin with an emphasis in the church administration area. Been/Are there, done/am doing that, too, brother (presently, a minister of education/missions--but been a senior pastor and a church administrator of five churches, various sizes).<br /><br />You referred to the Growth Spiral as if you're Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-18434952759248770602009-08-29T16:20:55.242-05:002009-08-29T16:20:55.242-05:00Tim:
I noticed at your blogsite that you serve as...Tim:<br /><br />I noticed at your blogsite that you serve as a senior pastor but are pursuing a DMin with an emphasis in the church administration area. Been/Are there, done/am doing that, too, brother (presently, a minister of education/missions--but been a senior pastor and a church administrator of five churches, various sizes).<br /><br />You referred to the Growth Spiral as if you're Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-58034732909707413672009-08-29T15:22:15.556-05:002009-08-29T15:22:15.556-05:00Tim:
What I'm seeing--have seen for 22 years ...Tim:<br /><br />What I'm seeing--have seen for 22 years in vocational Christian ministry--is large amounts of apathy and need for revival in God's church, particularly as it relates to evangelism and discipleship--and to giving, like everyone else, I'm afraid.<br /><br />I served a 3600-member church prior to being called to the smaller one I serve now (800 new members in 3 years). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-85317630789175014502009-08-29T14:52:10.756-05:002009-08-29T14:52:10.756-05:00David,
To add something else, The Growth Spiral th...David,<br />To add something else, The Growth Spiral though good and helpful for years, appears to be waining in the last few years. With all the emphasis on Bible Study (or SS or SG), it is a proven fact that people will attend a worship service many times before even thinking of going to a group such as SS. <br /><br />We have broken the model some with a recent new class we started yet, we Tim Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885623376514366024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-16573057186169375852009-08-29T14:27:40.519-05:002009-08-29T14:27:40.519-05:00David,
Our church gives double the money during wo...David,<br />Our church gives double the money during worship services than comes in during Sunday School. True also now in many churches. I knew the statistics from days gone by but those have now become outdated. Example: the average church over 200 in SS and 250 in worship will now only see 1/3 of the total offering for the day come in during SS.<br /><br />This began to be seen in the late Tim Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885623376514366024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-82867747557021302552009-08-29T08:20:19.316-05:002009-08-29T08:20:19.316-05:00Tim:
Because,
(1) 98% of churches' receipts ...Tim:<br /><br />Because,<br /><br />(1) 98% of churches' receipts are brought to the building in the pockets/purses of people attending Sunday School (or equivalent term);<br /><br />(2) People who attend Bible study and worship give at a rate of about $30 per person per week in the SBC (but the rate varies by church; calculate yours), while folks who attend only worship services give at a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-865331690307438582009-08-28T23:10:16.300-05:002009-08-28T23:10:16.300-05:00David,
Why not Stewardship?David,<br />Why not Stewardship?Tim Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885623376514366024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-57822018681872938352009-08-27T06:55:18.270-05:002009-08-27T06:55:18.270-05:00By the way, the Lord provides for congregations as...By the way, the Lord provides for congregations as those churches remain faithful to Him for the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Economic downturns are times to preach "Sunday School/small group enrollment," not "stewardship."<br /><br /><br />David TroublefieldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-23125767552818262702009-08-27T06:53:21.896-05:002009-08-27T06:53:21.896-05:00Fortunately, all is as well in God's economy a...Fortunately, all is as well in God's economy as it ever has been, and His people can have complete confidence in Him--and that He will fund the lives and ministries He leads us to, in a perfect way at a perfect time. No worries, just faithfulness (2 Corinthians 9).<br /><br /><br />David TroublefieldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5643342666676162215.post-76477541814654133362009-08-26T16:47:34.462-05:002009-08-26T16:47:34.462-05:00Bart,
Great perspective. I am hearing of stories ...Bart,<br />Great perspective. I am hearing of stories from churches were giving is starting to increase and people are learning that sacrifice is more fun than having all we want and owing our souls!<br /><br />The recession is a blessing in so many ways!Tim Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885623376514366024noreply@blogger.com