It depends on the type of cost, right? Fees for renewal programs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars; but there’s also the human cost of soul searching, prayer and repentance.
I once suggested to a funeral director that his standard pay rate for conducting a funeral service be raised. His curt reply: ‘I thought you did this for ministry.’
Ouch
So when does greed leach into ministry? Where’s the line and how do we know it’s been crossed?
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” 2 Corinthians 5:14
Trust me, you’ve already seen this movie a time or two: a pastor is asked to sit down to “hear what some people are saying” about the church’s current ministry.
The lines are so tired, you can parrot them as they’re spoken: “The sermons are weak. The flock isn’t being fed. There’s too much emphasis on the community. What about us?”
A simple reflection from somebody who knows a thing or two about quarantine.
Dear pastor,
I keep thinking of you. The afternoon doldrums take over my thoughts, and there you are. The reaches of the night find me restless, so I pray for you. I pray for your family. I pray for new mercies and for shalom.
The temptation to bury digital giving is real, especially for churches that haven’t used it for very long. But let’s not lose sight of how virtual still plays a role in our reality.
Let’s not beat around the bush. It doesn’t cost anything to say church mission is a priority. Talk is cheap; and frankly, mission-talk preaches really well.
I have a nerdy dream to write, sing and produce a hit song about the heart of the matter when it comes to stewardship. Once it goes platinum, everyone will know what stewardship is really about. Sing it with me!