I received a few emails this past week from very good, solid church-serving organizations that provide leadership programs for leaders. The emails were advertising specific programs for "dealing with the economic crisis." The messaging speaks of cutting back costs, laying off staff, and bemoaning the hard times. To their credit, these organizations are trying to help church leaders productively deal with these very hard challenges.
I know these are important issues and must be addressed. And I have advised many clients in these matters as well.
But from the ads they appear to approach the issue through the lens of struggle. They approach this economic season as a key obstacle and challenge to the church's mission.
I choose to believe that this is the greatest opportunity for ministry since 2001. The lens of opportunity says that we have a positive message of hope that is the right message for the times.
It is time to seize the day for church leaders.
We want to be proactive in dealing with attender's challenges and concerns.
And we view this season as one where our messaging should be encouraging not discouraging.
I am not proposing a "prosperity theology" or "positive thinking" but rather see proactive leaders being intentional at finding very creative ways to advance the gospel, the outreach of their church, and the increase of their ministry internationally.
My challenge to readers today is to examine the language used in all communications be they written, oral, web based and the like.
Are you unintentionally communicating a message of doom and gloom or a message of hope and redemption.
My sense from talking to lots of leaders this past quarter is that those who are communicating "I know times are hard" are not seeing as much fruit as those who are saying "what a powerful time it is for our church to show its love for this community."
I am not saying those are totally disconnected messages but those that focus on the former see this as the greatest crisis of the decade. Those that focus on the latter see it as the greatest opportunity.
So which are you?
Feel free to push back on me in the comments.
Dave Travis is the Managing Director of Leadership Network.
He tweets at www.twitter.com/davetravis
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