Scary news of job losses are redefining how things are done in America. CNN reported on Monday, the 26th, that there were over 70,000 job cuts pushing the total to over 200,000 job cuts…get this…this year!You can see the article here.

Bloody Monday: CNN

The generation of today and tomorrow are being forced to change their spending habits. The church is not exempt to the cuts either as I happen to follow Tim Stevens blog, www.leadingsmart.com. He posted a blog, here, on how they are experiencing “triple down economics”.

It's a grim picture…no matter how you paint it…never fear God is still on the throne. He is still in control. Isn’t that what we are supposed to say? It seems like the appropriate answer, doesn’t it?

Allow me to pose a few “what if” questions….

What if the money market continues to slowly get worse? What will happen to churches that rely on technology to make their services work? What if they can’t afford to broadcast in HD to their satellite locations? What would happen to those locations if they didn't have a video pastor? Technology has become a prominent part of our witness here, so how would we return to an “analog” gospel…when we are so used to letting “digital” be our solution. As money disappears in the household, so goes certain luxuries…internet, cell phones, cable, etc…with all of our solutions dependent on the “i-life” how can the church tackle a new poor, hungry, and jobless Christian or unchristian?

I don’t know what the solution is…these are just questions I am asking myself. In searching random thoughts on this I can’t help but desire the church to go into action rather than trying to just cut programs, technology, employees, etc. I think cutting certain things are inevitable, however, I also think it’s time we go on the offensive. Maybe this is a good time we kill of our “i-programs” and focus back on Mathew 25…

Mathew 25: 34-36

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

With job losses becoming the everyday phenomenon, maybe it’s time we started a Mathew 25 initiative in our churches. Maybe our focus should be helping those in need. Maybe it’s time to be extremely outreach focused and pour back into those who have faithfully tithed into us, instead of doing the same church with less people. Maybe it’s time to give someone an actual physical hug, some food, take care of a bill or two, etc., rather than just go about normal business. Tomorrow is gone and so goes how we used to think, grow, and build. Today is prime for a new way to do church...it's all about who is going to be brave enough now to "blaze a new trail".