Planting Space

I recently paid $4.40 for a gallon of gas in Chicago, IL.  I never dreamed in my lifetime that I would see that price.  I can remember paying $0.89 when I got my license.  That means gas prices have increased 500% in 16 years.  Ouch!  My family of four now thinks about the price of gas when deciding whether or not to get in the car.

Regardless what the media says, the average American household is feeling the pinch.  Rising gas and food prices results in a larger percentage of people living in poverty.  So how does this impact church planting?

1. Increased needs for compassion ministries and service focused churches. Churches that serve are rapidly becoming a trend.  But churches that serve well and make a difference in the community are still hard to find.  For years churches have integrated secular practices of marketing and business.  Now it is time for the church to integrate and even influence principles of the social work world.  Compassion by Design is making it easy for churches to focus on service in a culturally relevant way through a tool called the community needs assessment.  This tool helps the new church identify authentic community needs as well as assisting in setting a true service focused DNA.
2. Green Awareness.  Agree or disagree with global warming you can’t argue with the biblical mandate to care for the earth.  With increased energy costs at the front of most American’s mind, going green is becoming as common as video games.  This presents the church with an incredible opportunity to influence the conversation with a theology of stewardship, restoration and the beauty of God’s creation.
3. Alternative Community.  In a time of war, rumors of war and an every man for himself mentality, the church will stand in stark contrast.  Spend time reading Acts 2 and 4 and wrestle with what it means for the church to live in community.  How will your new church take care of each other’s needs?  It used to be only the poorest among us couldn’t afford a gallon of gas.  Today, you may find a benevolence ministry that helps fill a gas of tank is not only relevant but needed.

How do you see the rising cost of living impacting the church?  What opportunities for ministry does it provide us?

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