On December 15, 2011, the Boston Globe reported about “a financially troubled church” (the Globe’s description not mine), Christ Lutheran Church of Southwick, MA, that had received a half million dollar anonymous donation, with the promise of up to $1 million more in an additional matching grant.
Image Via Christ Lutheran's website
The grant came, according to the Pastor, Rev. Jeff King, from someone who had never been in worship there, but who somehow had been impressed with the way the church has been “making a difference in the lives of children” through two child care centers with preschool and before- and after-care programs. Pastor King says that the money will be used toward paying off the church’s mortgage.
It’s certainly a great thing for them. No question. I hope they’re able to continue their ministry to kids. Really. I do.
But I also want to say to all the other churches out there who are in financial difficulties, praying for a similar miracle to come to them out of the blue: Don’t plan on it.
I know, I know. Your Finance Committee is thinking, “See! Miracles happen! It happened to them. It could happen for us.” I know from first hand experience that this kind of incident makes it tempting to use miracle funding as the basis of church financial plans. But chances are, it won’t happen. That’s why, when it happens, they call it a miracle. It’s the exception, not the rule. Even though Finance Committees like to think it’s the rule.
The Miracle Financial Plan is like crack for churches.
It’s second only in its deadliness to the Funeral Financial Plan – “Maybe someone will die and leave us money.” Sounds great! Next time it comes up at your Finance Committee ask which one of them is going to take the bullet. You can even offer them time to amend their will before they go to meet their maker.
It’s the church lottery addiction. Christ Lutheran won the lottery this year. That’s it. And meanwhile, while all the other churches wait, they’re burning what meager funds and time they have left in holding patterns. Holding on with white knuckles in a cold sweat of withdrawal, waiting and praying in vain to get the next sugar daddy hit.
Here’s a better idea.
Do your ministry on the assumption that nobody other than you and the people you know are going to fund it. Ever. If a miracle happens, fine. You’re better off than you ever planned for, and then you’ll have a whole different set of challenges. But for now, do something incredible with what you’ve got. Do it now. While you’ve still got anything left. Believe in yourself and your capacity to do something great. Because if you don’t, chances are nobody else will. Maybe not even God, if you believe what Jesus said (Mark 4:24-25).
On the other hand, if you do get your ministry in gear and do something with what you have – well, “to those that have more will be given” is the promise. Apparently, that’s what Christ Lutheran was doing when the “miracle” happened.
Congratulations to Christ Lutheran. The rest of us all wish you well.
