Church Budgets in Economic Downturn: Mission Still Matters
Mark A. Taylor reflects on how churches should respond when offerings fall and economic pressure rises. Rather than retreating from mission, benevolence, and outward-focused work, he argues that hard times create a unique opportunity for the church to demonstrate God’s help and hope.
- Economic downturns can tempt churches to cut outward-focused ministry first.
- Tough times often multiply needs and create greater opportunities for impact.
- Church spending decisions can help exalt God among the nations during crisis.
By Mark A. Taylor
Faced with economic downturns like those we’re experiencing now, many businesses make their first cuts in the marketing department. The conventional wisdom (which is often anything but wise) says we can’t afford advertising and publicity when revenue is falling behind budget. Such thinking ignores the fact that we must work twice as hard to make the sale when economic times are hard. Sometimes business should up the promotion when income is down.
Unfortunately, some churches make a similar mistake. Faced with falling offerings, they retreat and retrench. They miss the great opportunity before them when tough times multiply needs.
Church Spending in Uncertain Times
Now is not the moment to cut the missions budget, benevolence projects, and externally focused initiatives. Indeed, the church can have an impact in an economic downturn unlike that when prosperity prevails.
When the psalmist proclaimed, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” he added an admonition to the unnerved among us: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations” (Psalm 46: 1, 10).
And how will God be exalted in the midst of economic crisis? Part of the answer comes from church leaders deciding how to spend church money in these uncertain days.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
