Spotlight

Expanding Our Reach and Impact

Stewardship ministries tend to be behind-the-scenes ministries, providing confidential one-on-one counseling and periodic workshops. But our rocky economy has prompted some stewardship ministry leaders to step up their offerings. For example, Harvest Bible Chapel, a multi-site church in suburban Chicago, is planning two upcoming half-day "Hope and Help" conferences (click here) for its people.

Jim Jodrey, Pastor of Stewardship and Benevolence at Harvest, said the conferences are in response to a significant increase in requests for financial help. "There's a lot of fear out there right now – fear about the future. And fear dashes hope. We want to remind people that fear is not from God, that God is all about hope, that he is still in control, and that for those who love him he has good plans for them."

The conference will offer a time of worship, workshops on everything from job interviewing skills to investing in turbulent times, a job fair, and on the spot one-on-one counseling with stewardship ministry volunteers.

"Everyone has been impacted by the economy, whether through job loss or investment loss. We want to bring a message of hope to people and then give them some tools to help them get through these tough times."

Jodrey is praying that the conference will help people find specific answers to their most pressing financial needs, but he also hopes the conference will mark a turning point in many people's lives.

"This could be a time when God says, ‘My people need to be set apart. Now is the time to get back to my principles of living within your means and avoiding the bondage of debt."

What more could your church do during these tough times to help those in your church and in your community? This is a time when stewardship ministries can play an important role in helping hurting people, drawing people from our communities to church, connecting people who are out of work with potential employers in our churches, and more.

If your church is offering an event or other resources in response to our tough economy, please let me know (mbell@willowcreek.org).