Abundant Scarcity

Sometimes it seems like we live in an oxymoron world. The Covid pandemic has highlighted the fragile nature of all those things held as dependable and constant. For those who worry about the future of their church there is bleak hope. The unknown, if not the questionable future of our church, produces tightfisted generosity. The part of me that wants to show my support and response to God’s love, is woven together with my fear of a thinly crowded church. It conjures up the picture of a neon motel “vacant” sign next to the “all are welcome” banner.

It seems with each incoming wave of Covid variants, there is an outgoing wave of members who leave the church building. Some members opt for online viewing, and despite our best efforts, we have an almost overwhelming fatigue of church disruption.

Abundant is our loneliness. Scarce is our community. The comfortable and dependable church life now seems like it is in a secure limbo. Church pastors and leaders are investigating ways to recreate the habit of attending church. Abundant is the peace of Christ, scarce the hands to join in prayer; abundant our hymns, scarce the unmasked voices to sing; abundant the Bread and the Cup at one table, scarce the bended knees and open hands.

Many churches are finding that as “real community:” person to person, face-to-face declines, eventually the financial support declines as well. Abundant are the needs of the wider community, country, and world. More than one person has shared that they are rethinking supporting a church building that is filled with emptiness. They are diverting their tithe to support UMCOR, Camps, and even non-church related charities.

Money follows mission. Money follows the heart. The challenge for our church today is to communicate our mission and to touch hearts to rebuild community. Without making a clear case for support, our abundant resources will be deployed beyond the church, leaving scarce dollars for the offering plate. Our abundant scarcity is turning into scarce abundance.

As your partner in ministry, the Foundation can come along side and help tackle these troubling situations in unprecedented times. We offer an abundant amount of stewardship resources and ideas that can guide you along the way.