God's Test of Leadership

“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (First Corinthians 4:1-2NIV)

The global financial meltdown will impact every church and nonprofit Christian ministry. This downturn is deeper and more widespread than most adults have experienced in their lifetime. Ministries that make wise decisions will weather the storm, but ministries with weak boards and Pastors or CEOs may not. I urge every pastor, CEO, and board to be proactive. The “deer in the headlight” approach will not work.

The Bible teaches us that the steward or guardian must one day give an account of his ministry. Pastors and leaders of nonprofits are not only accountable to the donors and recipients of the ministry, but each is ultimately accountable to God. Therefore, I feel led of God to share with you what God has shared with me from His Word related to the current economic downturn. If churches and nonprofit Christian ministries are to survive the recession, the Pastor or CEO must begin to take steps. The deer in the headlight approach will surely spell doom. All indicators point to donations lessening over the weeks and months ahead, and churches and nonprofits will need to make quick budget cuts.

However, not everything is negative, and the Seminary leadership and I want to help you know how to weather this global economic storm. Over the coming months, we will see some nonprofits fail while others thrive, and the same will be true with churches. I hope to share with you a greater understanding of financial management to help ease the pain. The key to continuing a worthwhile and thriving ministry is leadership. If you are a pastor or CEO, or a trustee of a nonprofit ministry, you are God’s guardian for that ministry and you will give an account to Him of your faithfulness.

Prayer: "Lord, help me to understand the meaning of being a true guardian of all you have entrusted to me, and give me the wisdom and courage to lead all you have entrusted to me through this global economic storm. Amen."