Money again

[DeanZF]

This is never an easy topic, in the kingdom or out, in ministry or when working for one's self. And it is not made easier within the kingdom by the legacy that many of us have, where having "a ministry" has been viewed more at the hobby level than anything more serious. Say, feeding children, paying rent and other bills??



It's not easy. Every dreamer/creator of every event has visions of great things for and in the kingdom. That's a good thing. Every little kid has visions of being able to consume that fourteen scoop 8 topping bucket of ice cream, too! Just like the child's eyes being too large for his stomach, the event planner's vision is often too large for their budget. We've been invited to more than a few of those, and especially early on, had the energy and the ability to make minor sacrifices to make them happen. Yeah, yeah, yeah, build your reputation, exposure to others who might/could/should engage you for their events or their congregations. Blah, blah, blah. That's not the deal. Ever, actually, but it took us a long time and many really good teachers to realize that. Part of this epiphany was also that we are doing more than repeating a prepared message and selling books/tapes on a popular subject. For an author to give away the occasional book means they give $10-15. Yes, they have an investment in the printing, but if the book is good, they'll get even that $10 give away back. Not exactly the same as dancers, movers, mimes, flaggers, pageanteers, etc. The banners and garments were never intended to be seen as an investment on which there would be a financial return. They were built out of obedience, out of honor, as an offering of love to our God.



We had one conference that was like the one you've described, but they also said, "generally the split for you would be about $XXX" (slightly more than half of what we normally would ask), but that if we'd like, they would arrange for ministry in appropriate congregations with the right physical conditions and that were open to our type of ministry, and that way, we should easily be able to achieve our financial needs. They were correct. Worked out very well. We'd work with them again because of that.



There have been others where the "love offering" was absolutely pitiful. Sixty people at the service and less than $20 in the plate. Pastor was embarrassed and wrote us a check to help at least cover the gas. It can go any which way. We've also been overwhelmed a time or two at the generosity of a small assemblage of folks who dug deep and blessed us amazingly.



I have some control over what I do or don't do as a minister. I talk it over with my wife and with my God. Is this something that we should or should not consider. Helena & I know what it costs us for a weekend of ministry. Weeks of prep, building or gathering of materials, praying through messages or lessons, a couple of dramatic days of prep time and set up, a day of tear down, and often a week to heal. The latter was less 10 or 15 years ago, but more than wisdom comes with age.



We've come to realize that IF WE CHOOSE to give our services as an offering unto the Lord, that is something that He directs and with which we have an abiding sense of His hand in the midst of it. Most of the time, that's not the way He works in our lives, however. We are not well-to-do. There is one job in our household in addition to the occasional ministry opportunities. Ministry for us means that I have to have time available from work (my "holiday" or vacation time) or unpaid time away from work in order to do this ministry. It's NOT a hobby, and it's not the warm fuzzy, "oh, well, that's just your ministry unto the Lord, you don't need any remuneration, right?" So, off I go into educator mode, sharing what I believe God's plan in all of this is. Yes, the Apostle Paul made tents while he was not in jail, but there was an expectation that the folks would be making some financial commitments. Paul talked about it a lot. He did NOT take money from everyone, but the ones who could afford it, from them he received support.



Old Testament. Look at how the prophets works. They travelled and stayed with people of means. Those people fed and housed the prophets. And they received blessings in turn. Education can go a long way toward changing the way people try to do business.



Helena's suggestion about sponsors is interesting. Any chance that a nearby congregation might be willing to have you as part of the Sunday worship and provide a love offering?



Have you approached your team to ask them their own thoughts? Not encouraging them to go for free, but are they willing to take a chance on a small conference on a small budget and splitting some undefined pot?



We have a friend who recently did a conference where there had been a verbal agreement, committed to by the conference host & our friend. After he got there, the host started to talk in ways that suggested our friend might not get everything agreed to. Christian host, Christian conference, Christian friend. The wheedling began. Friend stood firm, host continued to try and avoid. It worked out in the end because a few others saw what was happening and went to the host and essentially said, "Hey, we agreed to this amount for this minister. We need to be true to our word. Period." People of integrity triumphed!



It can happen!!



Let us know how Father works this one out, Dave.