the recession: an opportunity?

Weathering the Economic Storm

[full version]

"Christians are not immune to the effects of the recession, but the economy of God is built on a different set of principles."

Steve Pierce considers an antidote to the current financial storm, based around a biblical understanding of 'the gift'.

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Weathering the Economic Storm

[abbreviated version]

This synopsis of Steve Pierce's longer essay (above) was first published in the Evangelical Alliance membership magazine, IDEA in January 2009.

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Giving in recession

The work of God is too important to get squeezed by an economic downturn. Here, Steve Pierce provides some pointers to help and challenge us in our giving.

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10 tips for surviving the recession

Here, Kevin Russell shares with church and Christian charity leaders his tips on surviving the recession. Spiritual wisdom and effective management are the keys.

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How to prepare your church for recession

In this article, Kevin Russell, Stewardship Technical Director, examines what God has been saying to him about the credit crunch, global recession and how the church should respond.

"It’s not about cost cutting or replacing income under threat. But seeking the heartbeat of God to use the resources that we already have … in each of us … to make a difference". In doing so, Kevin believes that we will not need to worry about the church’s finances.

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2009 Message from Stewardship (Extra Extra - Jan 09)

We must be slow learners! (Gift Horse - Nov 08)

Bags without holes (Gift Horse - Oct 08)

Short Selling, or selling us short? (Gift Horse - Sep 08)

The Gift Horse is a regular blog on this website. You can also subscribe to Money Talks, our monthly email bulletin, here.

Given the recession, what would you like to see the church doing in 2009?

We asked Church leaders to comment:

Gerald Coates

Founder, Pioneer Church Network

"Firstly we have to acknowledge, that we as Christians may be just as guilty as those who don’t know Christ in putting our trust and confidence in banks, building societies and Downing Street statements about the economy. This is the time to transfer our confidence from institutions to the Lord Himself.

Secondly we might also need to acknowledge that a creeping greed has overtaken us as we seek to care for family, friends, and the church with nicer homes, holidays, clothes and even church buildings.

It is not that one day we were not greedy and the next, we were. It is like the story of the frog who when put in hot water will leap out but put into slowly heated cold water will eventually boil to death as the water heats up. This is not a time to point fingers at others, but to acknowledge where as Christians we’ve been caught up with the spirit of the age."

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Peter Sturrock

Pastor, Aberdeen Vineyard

"Does God have something to say to us in this economic crisis? Yes I believe he does.

Broadly speaking, the Bible teaches us that having money is a relatively good thing and not having money is a relatively bad thing. Money helps! But wealth is not an absolute good – for example, acting justly is more important than having lots of money. It is better to be poor and godly rather than rich and dishonest [Proverbs 16:8].

The Parable of the Sower tells us that wealth is deceitful – money blinds us to the way God sees things – and we simply need to repent. Jesus rule on earth has begun and he can enable us to change our minds as he does about lots of things when we turn to him and trust him with our whole lives.

And keep giving generously – remember “your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs”

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The Revd Howard Sharp

Moderator, Mersey Synod, United Reformed Church

“Spend, spend, spend“ is what we’re being advised to do, so we can pull out of the recession.

Cut VAT, make goods slightly cheaper and we’ll buy ourselves out. It seems absurd to encourage the most indebted people in living history to buy their way deeper into debt. But our economic system seems geared to appeal to the greed which is rooted in most people’s psyche.

A different message from the Christian community might just start a trend - and remember it was the Churches who led the Fair Trade movement.

Let us learn to differentiate between need and desire. Learning to be content in all situations is what brought the apostle Paul peace of mind. The simple economics practised by Joseph (he of the technicolour dreamcoat) also offer a good example for individuals and governments. When there are years of plenty, we put something aside for times of recession. “A bit late now” you might say. Well yes, but there’s always next time.

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John Preston

National Stewardship and Resources Officer, Church of England

The recession provides a challenge to us as individuals, but also as churches. My hope is that during 2009 churches will not only minister to those affected by the recession, providing hope, support and encouragement, but also be able to identify mission opportunities.

There are clear Christian views on money, lifestyle and economics that enable us to add a distinctive voice to the debate. I would also love to see more churches choosing to offer practical programmes to help those struggling with money issues - debt centres and budget guides. They need to prepare themselves properly to do this, but those have already done so have seen a very positive mission impact.

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David Stroud

Leader of ChristChurch, London and the Newfrontiers UK Team

We are undoubtedly in challenging times at present. This provides the church with some great opportunities and some great challenges. The opportunities enable us to express compassion for those who are suffering from unemployment and financial loss. In the gospel, we have the answer to the psychological and social trauma that many are experiencing. This needs to be demonstrated through what we say and the practical help that we provide.

We can expect many to find Christ at this time. The challenges lie within the prevailing fear that an economic crisis brings with it. The church must not give in to this. The world remains in God’s hands. We are to be confident in His love and His purposes; a signpost to our needy world that our God reigns.

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Steph Gutmann

Shine Magazine Editor, City Gates Church

As we observe the daily onslaught of the recession, we should not be intimidated or fearful. This is an opportunity for us to be different! To see the good in the situation.

Recession actually means “a withdrawing of resources,” and in theory, we understand God gives, but He also “withdraws”. This season has not taken Him by surprise and it stands to reason He has a purpose in it. If we look at Scripture as our example: In Genesis 41 we see God increased the wisdom of Joseph, giving him effective strategies to see Egypt through seven years of drought. Or in 2 Kings 4 He multiplied the little oil the Widow had in order to make provision for others, and finances for herself.

These are not just great stories, but real-life testimonies we can learn from, through which God demonstrates Himself as the ultimate Provider.

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Paul Morrison

Public Issues Policy Adviser, Methodist Church

Times of rising unemployment and increased financial uncertainty will raise pastoral issues inside our churches and in the communities in which they serve. Showing God’s love by responding to pastoral concerns is a vital role, but I trust the Church will also speak to policy makers with a prophetic voice and continue to contribute to the debate on the future direction of the economy.

As Christians we are called to love God, love our neighbor and have care for God’s Creation. Wealth and its creation are means to these ends, and not ends in themselves. This sounds obvious but the Church is one of the few organizations able whose priority need not be to call for the return to high levels of economic growth. We now have an opportunity to challenge the wealth-orientated culture that has lead to this crisis and push for economic policies that treat the environment and the less well off with care and compassion.

I would like to see us to work towards a society where a person’s worth is not measured in pounds and pence. In the current economic crisis the Church has a unique opportunity to challenge this by living out these values locally and speaking out nationally.

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John Glass

General Superintendent, Elim Pentecostal Churches

God has ordained that His Church interact with the community at the point of their need. Evangelicals in the past have believed, rightly, that man's greatest need is to be saved. This has inspired a focus that has been at the heart of missional activities and which has presented truth in the form of words designated to convince and create change of heart.

But of course people are not just 'souls to be saved'. God's heart is for the whole person - body, soul and spirit. In times of financial challenge the church can put flesh on their words through practical help and advise. They can also provide counsel and emotional support for those who are experiencing a lack of self-worth through the trauma of redundancy. Jesus did not feed the 500 to create a gateway for his message, He fed them because they were hungry.

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Rod Badams

Administrator, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC)

In the Bible there are no commands to save money, only exhortations on giving, providing and spending.

Moreover, it doesn’t mitigate our responsibilities when the financial climate gets tough. We don’t read: “Contribute to the needs of others …. , unless the banking system appears to be on the verge of collapse.”

People are asking: “Where is my money safe?” and the answer is hard to find. In all seriousness, the only safe money is spent money. If the project serves the purposes of God, then the wise spending of money by individuals and churches is thoroughly secure.

But in a deep recession there are other reasons for spending more, or spending it earlier, than individuals or churches might otherwise have done:

(a) Over the next year or so the price of goods and building work will be competitive, VAT at 15%, and willing suppliers and contractors easily available.

(b) More people than usual will be in need. Spending more, carefully, cost-effectively, tax-effectively where appropriate, and generously, can bring about wide human and spiritual benefits.

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Dr. Rowan Williams

Archbishop of Canterbury, Speaking on the Today Programme of 18 Dec 2008

“Sustainable wealth is to do with meeting actual needs, not just about the bank balance of individuals. We’ve get very used to a society in which things come quickly and we expect unrealistic returns.

It’s about what’s sustainable and if [the government’s wish to spend its way out of recession] this is just driving us back into the same spin, I don’t think it’s going to help us.”