Difficult Economic Times

QUESTION: If there are difficult economic times coming to our nation what should the church consider?

ANSWER: The is a very broad question. However, I think the Church is responsible to pray and prepare...spiritually and practically.

First we pray for Divine intervention; the type of prayer found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. I also think we are responsible for equipping our congregants to be the Church...to be Salt and Light...to be a stable voice of Peace and Hope. I would suggest that church leadership prepare its congregation Biblically for difficult times...without sounding like chicken little or Harold Camping. ie. James 1:2-8, 1 Peter 4:7-11, Revelation 2-3 (Christ to the churches)

Second, I would look at the church's financial situation. We always need to have the same type of cash reserves we teach our congregants is wise. We need to remain generous as a church to others...widows, orphans, missions and even other ministries. God's people are to be obedient tithers and generous givers. Are people prepared to be generous to their neighbors? Is the church prepared to be generous to its community? Finally, we need to work to eliminate any debts.