Yesterday I participated in a Live WebCast featuring Rick Warren, Sr Pastor of Saddleback Church and bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life. Pastor Rick spoke on a variety of different topics, but he focused a portion of his time discussing the effects of the economic recession on the Church in America.
Did you know that church attendance, movie attendance and bar attendance increases during recessions? Why do you think that is? It seems to me that people want to try and find hope and help by attending church, and they want to find an escape from the reality of their problems at the movies and in the bars.
In the midst of this economic crisis, there is a great possibility to make a difference in people's lives: to bring them peace, to offer them hope and to minister to their needs. Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's the pastor's responsibility to do all of these things. The pastor or church staff couldn't possibly do all of it without help from you. This is one of those great opportunities for the Church to stop doing church and start being the Church.
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