As a church consultant that is privileged to engage with many pastors, staff and lay leaders from all across the country I’m hearing several common themes emerge during these months of economic challenge.  Some of the issues include:

• How can the church effectively disciple through tough times?
• What are the appropriate stewardship opportunities & challenges during these tough times?
• What are the most effective ways to minister to the unemployed or those encountering economic challenges?
• What is the role of deacons and pastoral care during these tough times?
• What are the appropriate adjustments for churches to make in light of economic challenges?
• What are the resources a church can offer to help during these challenging times?
  

    These and many other questions emerge rather frequently these days. I’m going to take one question in each of the next 6 church leadership newsletters and give some of my thoughts. I invite you to share your thoughts and responses to each question also and I’ll share them with our readers. Email me at EdwardHHammett@mchsi.com.

How Can the Church Effectively Disciple in these Tough Economic Times?

The essence of New Testament discipleship is following Jesus and being obedient to His leadership. Facing the tough times of life, learning to live through the grey times of life – where things are not as predictable or stable as we might have been accustomed is part of that followership.  Christ promises that ‘trials come to make us strong’ and that if ‘we come through the fire we shall come forth as pure gold.’
    Tough economic times are purifiers and clarifiers of what is most important and what is truly of value to us – as individuals, parents, churches, business persons etc.  Give prayers consideration to….

• What are you learning about yourself during these times?
• What are the values clearly emerging?
• What are the shifts these circumstances are calling you to make now?
• What might God be teaching you in this?
  

Another dimension of discipleship in these tough days has to do with aligning ourselves to new realities and inviting accountability into our families, lives, churches, staffs in order to grow into who we are being called to become. Such alignment and accountability is often ignored in the prosperous times, but when economy tightens many shifts are called for and often required.  Consider prayerfully….

• What are the shifts God is calling you to now?
• What are the lessons being learned now?
• What will help you make the shifts needed now?
• Who are the persons that can help you grow forward in faith now?
  

As the Body of Christ seeking to disciple followers during changing times we need to create a safe and sacred place for persons, families, business persons and fellow believers to explore the issues of faith, obedience, prayer and hope. Creating and being this safe, non-judgmental people is crucial for persons to be honest with their struggles, questions and hopes.  Creating opportunities for learning, discovery and authentic relationships and prayerful support are critical and crucial for persons to heal and grow through tough times.  Prayerfully consider…

• What makes a safe and non-judgmental place/people?
• What forums might be created to fuel hope and healing?
• Who are the persons who might share their powerful learnings with others as part of our ministry?
• How do we become church rather than just attend church?
  

    A final dimension of discipleship we can consider now is the value and function of the Body of Christ during tough times. As believers, we are part of the Body of Christ, the local church of believers.  More often than not most churches, families, and individuals are being faced at one or more levels with the realities of economic challenges. We will deal in more detail later with this corporate response and role in today’s world.  But in the meantime, prayerfully consider….

• How does the Body of Christ respond to the hurting?
• How are you gifted to serve during this time?
• What are the opportunities being created here now?
• What alignments does the church need to make to model excellent discipleship and stewardship now?
• What partnerships might emerge to create win/wins for the church and the community?
  

©Eddie Hammett, Author of Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age and Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60 www.transformingsolutions.org ; http://deaconministry.ncbaptist.org