Church Projects and Difficult Economic Seasons – By Dr. Glenn Sauls

Church Projects and Difficult Economic Seasons

Written by Glenn Sauls

“What are we supposed to do about our building project now?”

As a consultant to numbers of churches across America, this is the burning, universal question I am asked increasingly by pastors, church boards and building committee members. This big question is almost always preceded by a litany of statistics about the housing crisis, loss of jobs, home foreclosures, international money woes, and economic confidence (or lack of it!).

“So,” the follow-up questions universally come, “do we put everything on hold until times get better? What kind of faith does that teach our people? Or do we plunge ahead, hoping and praying that we can somehow finish the project, even though giving is likely to be down as the people in our community sort through these challenges?”

Providing a historical perspective sometimes helps these leaders to see that our country as a whole has followed rather predictable and cyclical patterns of booms, meltdowns and adjustments. And, during the most difficult economic seasons in the last fifty years, people have actually stayed consistent or increased benevolent giving.  Most church leaders, however, are less concerned about what happened during past decades than what faces them right now in the midst of the planned or current building project.

My advice, based upon years in both the pastorate and as a church stewardship and leadership consultant, is not always exactly what these leaders want to hear. It is, however, based upon a Book that has survived every financial upheaval throughout history.

Was It God’s Idea In The Beginning?

Churches and building committees may be caught off-guard in the middle of major projects, but we can rest assured that God is never surprised, no matter what happens around us. In fact, we know that His answers concerning our plans have worked wonderfully and strategically, century after century, for people who are willing to follow His leadings.

Perhaps we should not be surprised, then, to glance back through the Bible to see several examples of God’s people who seem to thrive during the worst of times.

One of the first is found in Genesis 12:10. A famine struck the land, so Abram (later called Abraham) followed God’s direction and went to Egypt where he was literally given the wealth of Pharaoh!

Even more striking, perhaps, is the example of Abraham’s son, Isaac, who learned an amazing principle in the midst of the most chaotic economic times:

“Now a severe famine struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time.  So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.  The Lord appeared to him there and said, ‘Do not go to Egypt.  Do as I say, and stay here in this land.  If you do, I will be with you and bless you.  I will give you all this land to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father.’”

(Genesis 26:1-3 NKJV)

Isaac was on his way to the land of Egypt, even as his father Abraham had done. Isaac believed that Egypt would sustain and help him. Yet God told him not to go to Egypt, for that country could not sustain him as it did with Abraham. Instead, he was told to rely on God’s promise.

Isaac obeyed the Lord and stayed in the land while famine was all around him. What happened? The Bible declares, “That year Isaac’s crops were tremendous!” (Genesis 26:12a NKJV).

Difficult financial seasons demand strong leadership that is willing to listen to God and walk in obedience.  The ability to hear and discern the voice of God is the greatest friend to today’s pastor as he faces building projects in the current economic culture.

Biblical Principles for Building Projects During the Worst of Times

Here are eight principles to help put things in perspective as you determine what to do about current or planned building projects:

1. God is bigger than the economic issues that you and your church face. Abraham learned this. Isaac lived it, as well. So did Joseph, David, and so many more heroes throughout the Bible.  We all know this truth…we just often forget it.
2. Great vision always trumps a bad economy. People are not often moved by projects or plans, but by great vision cast by a great communicator who has heard God speak.
3. People do not sacrifice for nice projects during good or bad economic seasons, but they will support vital Kingdom projects. It is okay to ask, “Wouldn’t it be nice to build a new (fill in the blank)?” During times of great growth, nice can be a wonderful part of your strategic plan. However, you will find that people don’t sacrifice for nice when the economy gets shaky. They will, with good leadership, tend to sacrifice for vital projects, regardless of what is happening around them.
4. Good leadership can lead nice projects, but it requires great, godly leadership to hear the voice of God and lead people to sacrifice for vital projects. Learning this will make all the difference in the world for you and your church. Challenge your people to sacrifice, for it is the hallmark of great growth during the worst of times.
5. Plan strategically for the cyclical economic ups and downs. As a consultant for churches, this is one of the greatest challenges I face. The ever-changing financial landscape should be addressed in the earliest phases of any building project. Often it takes an “outside” consultant to help put the overall growth strategy into perspective, and it is a responsibility that any seasoned consultant takes very seriously.
6. Be cautious with long-term debt. It is great for the community to see you building. Positive signs of growth will generally attract lots of media attention and robust attendance. However, the positive effects of building projects must always be balanced carefully against projected income.
7. Teach biblical stewardship principles consistently, especially before and during church building projects. Foundational principles are found early on in scripture, “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.”  And, He who creates, owns.  Psalm 24:1 confirms God’s role in creation and that ownership is an all-inclusive proposition with God.  He owns it all and we get to participate with Him by managing what He has given to us.
8. Cast a clear and compelling vision for the future. It is best that your people see the church has a great future … one worth investing in.  Significant gifts will always be directed toward great projects that advance God’s Kingdom.  Everyone wants to be on a team that is pursuing a great future.

Keep Moving Forward

Above all else, believe and teach your people to believe God for miracles. Moving forward in faith is never easy. Moving forward with vital building projects during chaotic financial times is even harder.

In the account of Isaac we are told, “And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great” (Genesis 26:13). Isaac kept sowing and kept reaping, in spite of the conditions around him, so much so that we are told that he “went forward.”

You cannot go backward when you obey the Lord. You will only go forward and increase. Isaac started with very little, yet he “grew until he became very great.” He ended up with much, all because Isaac obeyed the Lord—in spite of the circumstances.

Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” Often, doing great things for God requires great faith. Thankfully, we have a Master Builder who is never, ever surprised by whatever happens—even during difficult economic seasons!

Dr. Glenn Sauls is the president and founder of Sauls Consulting Services, based out of Atlanta, GA.  Glenn served as a pastor for twenty-two years before leaving to be a part of a national church stewardship organization.  Glenn formed Sauls Consulting Services in 2007 and has partnered with some of the great churches across America.  He is also the author of “What To Do With Church Projects During Difficult Economic Seasons” published by Ministry Today and Bank of the West.  You can learn more about SCS by going to www.SaulsConsulting.com.

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