Randy's Ruminations

Nearly every year that I have been at the Campbell church we have only been able to fulfill the annual church budget by means of one or two special offerings in which we had to “make up” for the consistent shortfall. This fact is often a cause of concern and discussion among the elders. It is a sore spot for some members. I can’t imagine that anyone likes it.

I remember a discussion Browning and I had about this and would like to give a sense of that conversation. There are three basic options.

The first is to say that whatever the regular weekly average is, we cut ministries back to that level of funding. This would mean some significant cuts. Such cuts would not only affect the specific areas that are reduced, but begin to undermine our optimistic, creative attitude in ministry and church life. When the response to ideas starts to consistently be “there’s not money to do it,” then a sort of malaise can easily set in.

But the other problem with reducing the ministry resources is that the congregation has proven for years that we really can support the level of ministry that we do. It may not be easy and it may even irritate us to do it the way we do, but the fact is we have supported the budget year after year. And no one has given themselves into a state of poverty. Our track record indicates we have the resources for our budget level in this church body.

I specifically remember Browning saying something along the lines of how could he (the elders) face the Lord having made significant cuts when the church had always supported the higher level of ministry. In other words, God might easily respond “O you of little faith! Did I not always provide?” And the only answer would have to be “Yes.” So simply cutting back to the average of the regular contributions seems faithless in light of the congregation’s proven ability and willingness.

The second option is to encourage a higher regular level of giving so as to make the specials unnecessary. It is the case that some people give nothing. Others give irregularly. (By the way, I have no idea what anyone gives and don’t want to know.) If we all gave regularly and up to our true ability this issue would go away! The elders try to teach and encourage this without wanting to harp on it. Of course, part of the reality is that some people are hypersensitive to any discussion of “giving” at church. So there is always the challenge of knowing what the right amount of exhortation is.

The third option is to continue the level of ministry that we have historically been doing and supporting by continuing to have “make-ups” when needed. No one likes this, but it seems to be our church family’s way of doing things.

One final thought. While none of us likes to have a special offering to make-up a budget shortfall, it can actually be viewed as a positive exercise in spiritual maturity. Why shouldn’t we have to struggle with the question of sacrifice a couple times a year? Why shouldn’t we have to wrestle with the hold materialism has on us and evaluate our “wants?”

It is good for us to have to make the mature decision “This is what I can do.” And it is a matter of spiritual maturity to be at peace with the decision and not feel guilty for not doing more if we have truly wrestled with the decision in prayer. Is this easy? No, it is not. But rather than have the challenge removed, maybe God wants us to struggle with it – and then rest in his peace and grace having been matured by the struggle.