>>>The Church in Financial Crisis<<<

[EA]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Do you believe all of these economists?

Absolutely.

The GDP shrank 3.9% last quarter. Massive layoffs everywhere. Unemployment is approaching 10%.

The numbers don't lie.

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

I got a letter from a brother pleading for money today.

He used the word "crisis" to define the situation his organization is in.

He stated that giving has declined substantially, recently.

Understand, the problem is not mismanagement, it is a decrease in giving.

How widespread is this? How is the economic depression we are in impacting the local church, and the organizations we are a part of?

Has your church cut back on giving to other organizational programs and fundraising drives?

Do you think local churches will sever ties with national organizations for financial reasons?

Do you believe this will give rise to the house church movement?

December was our best month last year!!! Things continue to go up not down.

The reason a large percentage of church struggle is because they operate according to this master mammon

[EA]

Ministers will be required to make some tough decisions.

• Those considering church planting may be less willing to jump in, due to financial hardship, including the inability to garner donations for a start up.
  
• Full time evangelists may become a thing of the past, as that is an area financially strapped churches will cut first.
  
• Some ministers may sever ties with the WPF, ALJC or UPCI simply because they cannot justify the money they spend on dues each month, quarter and year.

[Jaxon]

Churches merging with other churches???? Don't ever see that happining, don't care if they are of the same faith or organization. Many issues involved there

[EA]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

Churches merging with other churches???? Don't ever see that happining, don't care if they are of the same faith or organization. Many issues involved there

It just happened to two congregations less than an hour from me.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

It just happened to two congregations less than an hour from me.

I've heard of denominational churches merging, were the congregations you mention Apostolic?

Years ago here in Cincinnati, a small Apostolic church in a poor area (don't know what organization, if any) chose a pastor from a large church (PAW) to also pastor their assembly. The 2 churches merged and bought a larger building. That pastor is still over the large church. He's Bishop Bower who was Presiding Bishop of the PAW a few years ago. I had only been in his church once and I don't really know anything about the small church that was merged or absorbed.

[EA]

Originally Posted by Sam

I've heard of denominational churches merging, were the congregations you mention Apostolic?

Years ago here in Cincinnati, a small Apostolic church in a poor area (don't know what organization, if any) chose a pastor from a large church (PAW) to also pastor their assembly. The 2 churches merged and bought a larger building. That pastor is still over the large church. He's Bishop Bower who was Presiding Bishop of the PAW a few years ago. I had only been in his church once and I don't really know anything about the small church that was merged or absorbed.

Yes, they were Oneness Pentecostal.

One was a young church, the other more established.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

Churches merging with other churches???? Don't ever see that happining, don't care if they are of the same faith or organization. Many issues involved there

yeah, who would get the titles and offices?

[revrandy]

Heard some Pastors are having their homes forclosed on....sad....

[EA]

Originally Posted by revrandy

Heard some Pastors are having their homes forclosed on....sad....

I also heard there is a substantial contingent of ministers planning a revolt.