Services for Churches - Stewardship

A Spiritual Job Stimulus Program

For quite some time we have been inundated with bad news of massive layoffs and corporate downsizing, resulting in rising unemployment. The current recession has caused a drastic reduction in job opportunities. Each month the Department of Labor announces unemployment data. Historically a figure of 4.5 percent unemployment or lower is considered full employment in the United States. As of late, there has been a constant rise of unemployment and joblessness. There has been talk of possible double-digit unemployment before the current recession is over; and in some communities, that figure has already been reached.

Employment statistics in the workforce have always been on the opposite spectrum of church member ministry involvement. In many congregations, typically 20 percent of the membership does approximately 80 percent of the work. That is an extremely high level of inactivity or “spiritual ministry unemployment.“ Unfortunately, there has been a historical level of contentment with that percentage of inactive church workers for too long.

Our churches are in need of a major ministry stimulus program. Creating new ministries and offering new service opportunities will strengthen the spiritual infrastructure of our Church. Not all members will have a chance to serve on standing administrative-related committees or have a desire to do so. New non-administrative ministries need to be created.

Developing new ministries aligned with the church’s vision and community needs will broaden the ministry base and create additional service opportunities. There are many prospects for ministry in every community, regardless of demographics and socio-economics. We must seek chances to become involved in life-transforming ministry. Transformation takes place for both the giver and the recipient in ministry, perhaps even more so for the giver.

One thing a church can do to jumpstart a spiritual stimulus plan is administer a congregation-wide spiritual gifts test. Encourage all members to take the test, particularly new members. Results of the test will help establish a ministry resource pool and provide additional information for personal membership. It will also give guidance about types of new potential ministries, as well as people who are suited for those ministries. Further, it will allow people opportunities to share skills they use in their business or with their employers.

A church can also consider hosting a ministry job fair. Encourage each participating ministry to actively recruit people for their program. Members still appreciate being asked to serve. Asking people to serve tells them they are valued, and that their special gifts and talents are needed in God’s ministry vineyard.

Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, found in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27, applies to many members of the Church. The parable centers on three individuals who received God-given talents to use and invest. Two used and invested their talents, and they were rewarded for their faithful service. One did not use his, however; instead, he buried his talent. How many believers in our churches bury their talents when it comes time to use them in God’s church?

It is time for a spiritual job stimulus program for our churches. Helping members uncover and use their God-given talents would make an awesome spiritual stimulus program. Think of all of the ministry possibilities, where we could share our talents in our church, across the nation, and around the world.