How would church change if the economy collapsed?
 

How would church change if the economy collapsed?

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

You'd see liquidation of non-essential assets and perhaps even an explosion of house church networks with low overhead and vast evangelistic potential. ;)

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Pastors might have to get a secular job.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Most pastors already work a secular job.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

That sounds very first century-ish.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I doubt the percentage is as large as you believe.

Also, are you referring to all churches or just Apostolic churches?

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Most Apostolic pastors work a secular job. The average church size is only between 75-85.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

It would change alot. I agree with Aquila that home churches would be the norm or many transplant saints. There is a UPCI church 2 miles from my home basically filled with older saints, but it is ran out of a home which was converted to a church. I might have to be forced to skew their age group lower by attending.

I think as a whole the Org would do ok, but the individual churches might suffer unless there is a leader with integrity and a good financial plan in place. Missions giving would suffer, no doubt!

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

From the www.upci.org.

The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) has been among the fastest growing church organizations in North America since it was formed in 1945 by the merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated, and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. From 617 churches listed in 1946, the UPCI in North America (United States and Canada) today lists 4,358 churches (which includes 4099 autonomous and 258 daughter works), 9,085 ministers, and reports a Sunday School attendance of 646,304.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

It might actually begin helping each other out instead of tearing each other down, or using my all time favorite "I'll pray for you".

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Always confused by this terminology, does this mean some ways to get paid are more holy than others?

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Time will tell Mija, collapse is inevitable, it remains to be seen if the character of the American people will be -I am responsible for my brother, or dog eat dog.

Judging by the actions of many who claim to be Christian the verdict is out. However, in Houston there were so many reports of genuine selfless acts that hope springs eternal. On the other hand I must remind myself that Houston is unique in many ways.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I know collapse is inevitable.

And I know the verdict is still very much out. I've seen some wonderful things recently, but I've seen the other side of the coin too, and far more often.

I am glad there were so many reports of selfless acts. :)

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Lol.....I suppose so.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

More people skipping mid-week services, prayer meetings, etc, and mostly just doing 1 service a week (because of gas prices. )

More people cutting corners on tithing and offerings. Less giving for missions, building fund, and other church fundraising programs.

More Sunday carpooling among saints?

Harder to get visitors to come to church (gas prices). More church Bus Ministries to pick up visitors?

More financial strain on saints... more trusting in God/ less leaning on ourselves... more prayer=deeper walks with God= more revival ??!!

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Yes, all of the above.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Whatever we do, it will be wrong


By Bill Fleckenstein

www.MSN.com

In any case, the response to all of those problems finally caused Ben Bernanke to gas up the helicopters. Last Wednesday, it was announced that the Treasury plans a special series of bill auctions to help the Fed expand its balance sheet. Read: The Fed is going to print money to buy Treasurys so that the Treasury Department can lend money to all these institutions. In other words, the printing presses are setting about monetizing all of our problems.

Of course, this will lead to other problems, and it's why gold exploded by $80 an ounce last Wednesday. Which is the outcome that I'd always assumed would occur and is now here.

I believe that as we go through this process of sorting through and enduring the implosion of the U.S. (and potentially the world's) financial system and its economic consequences, we're going to see some government actions we can stomach and others we can't. The most important point is that we somehow start pursing policies that make sense prospectively.

Foreigners are finally watching. Last Tuesday, China's People's Daily said that the world is "threatened by a financial tsunami." In essence, the paper said, countries need to consider building a new financial and currency order that is not dependent on the United States and the dollar. After all, who wants to lend money to somebody who uses a printing press to pay you back? Obviously, the script you get paid in can easily become worthless.

Tread lightly and thoughtfully
Events continue to move at a fast and furious pace. I don't think we've seen the last of startling actions. As for the investment ramifications of all of this action and potential future action, I think folks need to understand that amid the crosscurrents and head fakes, the potential to make mistakes is going to be extremely high. Probably the fewer decisions made right now, the better.

However, all decisions should be made with the expectation that the economic and financial environment will get far worse.

The Fed bailed out American International Group, so why isn't the stock market happy? Maybe because Wall Street is shocked by how little its biggest companies are worth, Jim Jubak says.For those of us who are professionals, a friend suggested that Henry Kissinger's comments about the Balkans should be kept in mind: "Whatever you do will be wrong, including nothing." That seems an appropriate warning.

That's not to say that we shouldn't make decisions. It's just that I believe we all ought to be extremely careful before we take any action.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

How about people get up off their backsides and walk to church? A mile or two walk will not hurt most of us .Or like was said earlier met house to house like in the book of Acts. Most have gotten so lazy they do good to walk to the car . Ride a bike to church and have a pitch in after service .Then brothers and sisters will you build a even stronger fellowship and strength .

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I remember folks saying that Sadaam Hussein and bin laden brought a bunch of people back into the church, I suppose the economy is now in the running, although Sadaam's numbers will remain somewhat static. :D

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

could see changes like:
--cutting back to one service a week, once every two weeks, or once a month
--closing church buildings and meeting in homes in neighborhoods,
--home meetings where folks share food (potluck) have some songs, teaching, prayer for each individual there
--folks might start attending a church that is closer to home rather than drive miles

This might be a return to first century Christianity if we don't have church buildings but meet in homes or in parks or yards

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Offerings would be down.

Random requests for spare cash would be up.

Folks might begin to study the biblical validity of the Roman Catholic Brick-and-Mortar, Priesthood-and-Laity church model, and determine that their hard-earned cash does more good feeding actual hungry people than keeping the lights on in a building that's occupied 3 times per week.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Total Depravity is a myth?

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I was thinking what would happen if there was an economic collapse a couple of days ago because of another thread.

My first thought was: No social security checks, no medicare/medicaid.

Families would HAVE to take care of their parents.

Adult children will be looking to live with their parents again.

People would have gardens for food.

The pickling industry would flourish. Less eating out. Restaurants closing and other service oriented businesses would close.

Apples would be sold on the street for a nickel.

We would have to trust God more.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Why should I get off my backside to "walk to church?" I AM the church! There is no biblical model for a building being "the house of God" or the "storehouse."

That's a good thought, but I wouldn't count on it. I still believe there will be a hard line group (obviously with a vested interest) that will fight for it and will preach that people should give to the church first (the house of God) and let God take care of their hungry and homeless families. And people will obey because they are in submission to those in authority.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I think tough times tend to bring people together, and present more opportunities for the church to actually BE the church.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Wouldn't that be awesome? How glorious for God to do an amazing work through hardship and trials....

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

I think more people will start going to church when they lose everything they have, when they realize the things they were depending on were not right things. There won't be buildings big enough to hold them.

ARPH:doggyrun

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

This is inaccurate, and very cynical.

Don't you believe that church leaders will be able to step up to the plate and make sacrificial decisions? Or will the plight and suffering of their flock just cause them to clinch that offering pan ever tighter?
If the church has a mortgage it may be out of the pastor's hands anyhow.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

That's not just biblical, it's bible!

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

A friend of mine once belonged to a congregation where when the offering plate was passed, you could put something in, or if you needed it, you could take something out.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Crisis seems to always bring out the worst and best in people ...

It is a test of character .... A total collapse would tell us who's who.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

The words "economic depression" are popping up like dandelions all over America's lawn.

If I were any kind of artist, I would construct a simple, handheld sign that said "the end is near!"

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

Here are a couple:

One way church would change
 

Re: One way church would change
 

Interesting thought, and just how would the government go about codifying, monitoring and enforcing this?

Re: One way church would change
 

The ACLU?

Re: One way church would change
 

1. The ACLU is not government (yes I realize you were TIC)

2. The ACLJ et al kicks their .... on a regular basis anyway.

3. The question was of course rhetorical, no such mechanisms do nor can they exist within the framework of our constitution.

Re: How would church change if the economy collaps
 

The song by DC Talk comes to mind:

".... a piece of bread will buy a bag of gold,
I wish we'd all been ready."