The Economy

I am not an economist. If I ever run for the office of President of the USA, that admission may come back to bite me, Alla John McCain. However, there are a few things I have learned about finances as I have been navigating this journey of life and ministry. The principles are true for individuals, state and national governments, businesses, and churches. Here are some of my observations.

First, live within your means. The issue for all of us is not that there is not enough income available. There will never be enough income to pay for all the things that can be purchased, enjoyed, or utilized for life and ministry. There will always be something we can use. The needs will never be met. The bottom line is this; don't spend more than comes in. Stay within your budget.

Second, living off the credit card is not a life of faith. I am not opposed to credit cards or borrowing money for major purchases like a home or car. I am opposed to the mentality that we can live off of credit. Sadly, the American economy is built on credit. This has become abundantly clear in the last few days. Sooner or later, that mentality catches up with those who live that way. If you have credit card(s), never put a charge on a card unless you can pay the monthly bill without the interest changes that will build up in a hurry if you cannot pay it off at the end of the month. Credit card debt, with the interest rate that accompanies it, will quickly put you in a financial hole.

Third, save a little every month. I have been the recipient of financial advisers who had no clue of the financial realities I faced. Many of them gave such unrealistic advise that it discouraged me from even trying to save money. I eventually got over that and began to see that while I could not save as much as they recommended, I could save something. A little is better than nothing. Over time, a little begins to mount up. When you save, save for some purpose, don't just hoard money to be hording it.

Fourth, budgeting is difficult, but it is a great discipline for believers. I found that budgeting for my tithe, housing bills, clothes, food, etc. began to free me to better respond to what God was calling me to do for him. Being a good steward is not in conflict with a walk of faith. Both principles are biblical.

Fifth, giving is a joy, both in the tithe and offering. Since I was a child I have practiced the discipline of tithing. I am grateful to my parents for the training they provided for me in this area of life. The old saying is true, "I can't afford not to tithe." I am amazed when ministers claim they cannot tithe. How can we expect the people in our church to learn to tithe if we have not? Our people catch our heart, not just learn from what we say. Are there more important issues than tithing? Of course, mercy, justice, etc. The latter should be practiced along with the former.

Sixth, the current problems in our economy were caused by such issues as shorting stocks, the up-tick rule being eliminated, interest only & 100% mortgage financing that eventually caught up with the institutions and individuals that practiced such lending policies. (HIS Fund never has and never will engage in such practices. Churches are the recipients of loans, not individuals. Speculation is not a part of how the fund is operated.) The lesson for us as individuals relates to investment. If you are investing in funds, know what you are doing, remembering that Christ must be Lord of your finances and financial dealings just as He is to be Lord of all other aspects of life.

Finally, put your trust in the Lord. Don't be overly worried about the things that go on in the world system knowing that the kingdom of God is not based on the financial markets, government systems, or political parties. While I believe Christians should vote, carry on with their business endeavors, etc. because, that is to say, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. God's economy is very different from ours. Keep your eyes on the city whose builder and maker is God. Don't be consumed with worry over the future. As Jesus taught, you are worth more than many sparrows. He takes care of them and he will take care of you and me.

Pan-Diaspora

The first time I heard to term Pan-Diaspora it was used by Joe Castleberry, then missionary to Ecuador and now President of Northwest University. It refers to the current phenomenon of the migration of the people of the world to all parts of the world, i.e. all people to all places. I returned from Seattle, WA today from meetings in the development of a Slavic District in the Assemblies of God. Friday evening I had the opportunity of setting in a Pentecostal service conducted in the language of the Slavic people from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other nations that were at one time a part of the former Soviet Union. Representatives from forty-four churches consisting of around 250 individuals gathered to conduct the business of officially becoming a part of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. It was an honor to have been a part of the Task Force to see this developed and completed on Saturday.

These are people who have experienced persecution like few Americans can understand. Many came to America as refugees due to religious persecution. Others have arrived due to the economic potential available in our nation. They love their mother country, but they love America. Mostly, they love Jesus! Singing, worshipping, and praying with them gave me a renewed appreciation for our freedom and this awesome salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Slavic people are one of many people groups coming to America. Their coming is changing America. In Philadelphia alone there are more than one hundred thousand people from the former Soviet block, many Russian Jews.

Today, America is the third largest mission field in the world. Many who are coming from around the world need to experience the power of Christ in their lives. Many have experienced salvation already and are passionate about reaching others for Christ. The Pan-Diaspora is an incredible opportunity for the Church to reach out to people within our own borders. God is up to something special. May we take the time to look beyond our personal boundaries and share Christ with the world God is bring to us.

Connecting

Connecting creates the option to be and to achieve in ways that are impossible for the individual who chooses to go it alone. For believers, the connection to the Head, that is Christ, is at the very core of who we are. However, the journey of life is not complete with Jesus; other members of the body are of critical concern. Jesus has chosen to connect us to one another, not just himself. In American culture, our emphasis easily becomes so focused on the individual that we loose the importance of the relationships we need with each other.

The C3 Leadership Network provides a structure in the PennDel Ministry Network (AG district) for leaders to connect with one another through natural relationships developed in the course of life and ministry. The C3 stands for Catalyst Groups, Coaching Groups, and Connect Groups. In addition, our 12 geographic sections provide significant opportunities for relationship building as well and often function as small groups.

Why are we stressing the importance of relationships? Because Jesus has not built us to be loners. We are not healthy, growing followers of Christ if we remove ourselves from relationships (fellowship) that can provide support, understanding, challenge, accountability, and partnership. One size does not fit all. The multiple options creates a variety of possible ways to connect. On the one hand, it is challenging to describe what goes on at each of the C3 group meetings because they are so different. On the other hand, the variety and flexibility provides a wide range of interests and needs to be met.

C3 is not a program. It is the structure we believe the Lord has given us to create a new culture in the kingdom of God to become a movement that is directed by the Holy Spirit through the spiritual gifts that are resident in the people of God. We need each other and the strengths each one has been given by our Lord.

Get connected! You will be glad you did. It could save your ministry.

Precious

Few look at death as something precious. God does! Psalm 116:15 states, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Within the past week heaven must be in celebration mode. We (PennDel District) have experienced four significant losses. Bill Farrell, Ruth Weitkamp, Lois Kasparek, and Frank Linton have all been promoted to glory. We grieve for their loss. We already miss them deeply. These four have serve their Lord and our fellowship for many years. They have fought a good fight, kept the faith, finished the course. Navigating their journey has proved successful for them. These four saints have finished well. They have kept their GPS in alignment and have reached the other side.

So why does God's word refer to their deaths as "precious?" From a human perspective it is a sad time. A time of loss. From God's perspective there is fulfillment of their mission. A completion of their purpose here on earth. They have served their Lord in their generation. Now they have entered into God's presence where they no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. Now they know, even as they are known. Now they can enjoy God forever, without pain, sickness, sorrow, tears or grief. They have entered into the presence of their Lord and now enjoy the fulfillment of his promise in a more complete way than ever before, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

While all four of these dear people have known the Lord and served him faithfully for many years, now they know him and are reunited to him in a way they have never known before. It is precious because there is a closeness with Jesus that could not occur in this earthly life. Life is complete and eternity is open. Incredible! "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man..." but they have insight we know little about. Precious? Yes, indeed! Wonderful truth we all trust we will experience some day just as these four friends.