This is going to be a ten part series for those who are interested.
As is evidenced by the 500 point drop in the Dow today, our economy is in some serious trouble. I'm not going to assign blame, other than to say, America has been living beyond it's means, and now it is time to pay that debt back.
I'm also going to be very curious to see how this economic downturn affects our many "Business Churches" around the country. Because if these pastors/ceo's actually ran their churches like a business, then I suspect we're going to see some "church" bankruptcies as well.
Should be interesting.
All this stuff makes me sick. I’m sick of all the debt and fiscal irresponsibility. I’m also sick of the government feeling like they have to step in. I’m with you about the business churches. I’m sure it’s bad to say, but i hope many churches do go bankrupt.
Really? That mentality seems awfully mean. Imagine wishing that more banks would go bankrupt because “they had it coming.”
Churches going under sends a very bad message that will negatively affect all of us. Empty church buildings with “for sale” signs won’t help fill the other “good” churches – it will just make people associate Christianity with failure.
Instead, pray for authentic change in these churches. Not financial ruin.
Unfortunately, financial ruin is sometimes the only thing to bring authentic change. Financial ruin is part of the justice system for bad stewardship. These churches have been breaking universal stewardship principles, and so consequently, they will reap the punishment of bankruptcy. You can’t stop the universal principle that says you sow what you reap, just like you can’t wish away gravity when you are falling out of a 100 story building. They will have financial ruin. Sure, i’d like to see them clean up their act within a period of God’s grace.
Cutting off branches and pruning them does seem like a awfully mean thing to say, but i’m sure it will help the roots grow stronger.
Man, what’s happening in America right now is really scary. And your right Cat the bill collector has arrived. It will be very intersting to see how churches handle the drop in tithing. My guess is many of the business churches will just ramp up the guilt trips and manipulation of those who may be tempted to lower their monthly giving.
Great point.
It’s a point well taken. Jesus gave several parables with dire consequences for those that didn’t measure up (talents, fruitful branches, sheep & goats, Lazarus & the rich man). The first several chapters of Revelations deals with Jesus giving the major churches a pep talk that amounted to “shape up or be left out”.
Which is more shameful? People leaving churches that mismanage money, or churches that go under because no one is willing to speak out against it?
In response to all this I think its time churches and even the country rely on God for everything. So many pastors rely on the people’s tithe for the church to succeed or make it through.
About facing the consequences mmmmmm…. I think God can make something happen if we really rely on him of course he must give the people in leadership or about to take leadership the wisdom to do it.. but i really do think the time has come for us to turn back to God and let him heal our land..
With all due respect, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
I think God set up an orderly world, where actions have consequences. So, I’m not sure God is going to step in and help America out here. I think he’s going to let us fall flat on our face. We created a mess, and now it’s up to us to learn from our mistakes and get out of it.
ok since i am young still and have much to learn would you say Faith can bend the laws of the universe?
Per say peter walked on water, even when that guy that prayed and the sun stopped I think it was Joshua.
Correct me if im wrong.
It’s God that does the miraculous. Not man.
right, so you still think that he’ll “let us fall flat on our face”? I understand that we must face consequences but what if we prayed that he would have mercy? Wouldn’t you say that would be better than saying that we are doomed? I love my nation I hope you do too. Im just asking for a more optimistic outlook on our nations future and prayer by me and the rest of us “christians” for mercy
please correct me if i am wrong
You’re not wrong. And I appreciate optimism. Keep praying.
I believe that God has mercy on the repentant, but that He allows people to face the consequences of their own actions when those people consistently reject wisdom. American evangelicalism has evolved into a religion whose leaders teach that God is some giant ATM in the sky, and that if we only have the right PIN number, we can get whatever we want.
Also, the Religious Right teaches that God has designated the US as a special nation entitled to a special standard of living elevated above the rest of the world. The back-story of our “prosperity” is almost never told by these people – the damage done to other countries by policies enacted by American elites in order to maintain that prosperity, or the environmental damage done by our obscenely excessive consumption. When these things are mentioned, the response of these leaders is frequently to say that “Christians must not believe that the American lifestyle causes any harm!!!”
I agree with catalyst. Actions have consequences. God is telling us to grow up. If we are unwilling, we will be utterly unprepared to face the times which are certainly coming upon us.