You Matter [a bunch]

It is scary of the amount of jobs that are being lost in the past 4 months. American job loss has accelerated at an alarming rate, especially at the end of 2008, and 2009 is keeping the trend strong. Pastor friends of mine has experienced this. I spoke to one pastor luckily enough, who's church administration chose a 5% reduction in pay for all staff instead of having to let go of great leaders. His comment to me was:

We couldn't think of trying to decide who is 'it' to let go. Ministry is what we do and our life is designed to love others. We couldn't even think to have to let someone go.

However there are a couple other churches in Arizona, megachurches, who are on their second and third job cuts. This takes a huge toll on the emotional and spiritual climate of a church.
Having the largest job loss at a level higher than that of the last six decades for America as a whole is a tough reality. There is an implosion in the job market and Lawrence Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute says,"We're seeing a complete unraveling of the labor market and are on track for getting beyond 10% unemployment."

This WILL affect the church. In multiple ways:

• Those needing help and the church being a help financially. [This definitely will be a larger topic in the near future for the church response to this issue]
• The church not being able to 'afford' to keep staff or able to keep paying staff as they are currently being payed.
• The churches ability to pour money into evangelistic efforts.
• The ability for children, students, and even adults in participating in events that costs money. [Blog to come to discuss how do we do ministry less expensive but still good]
• Families that have one or no parents that are working. They will need groceries and clothing for their families. How does the church respond?
  

Okay so here are some things to consider about your current situation and where you are at in life/position. Here are a couple thoughts on perspective:

• If you have a job, count your blessings. Make everyday worth it. Begin, if you're not already, to start working as if your job was dependent on your work ethic. Don't take any day for granted. Your church may feel the crunch even harder as congregants struggle to keep their jobs and pay their bills.
• If your church has cut your income don't revolt. Be thankful that you were considered worth keeping and that the whole team meant more to the church than any one individual. Find ways to bring in extra money, sell a kid or kidney (I think eBay frowns on selling people or body parts), sell the golf clubs, pick up side jobs.
• If you are one of the many that has lost your position due to the financial crisis in America keep your head up. Right now will be a tough season trying to find another ministry position. Here this next line well: Your job does not define your calling, and your calling does not define your job. Live out ministry where ever you are, in whatever location you are. Find fulfillment in living the moment real and not based on your 8 to 5.

Now for the message everyone reading this needs to hear for yourself but also to be your message to others. It is this.

What you do matters. It does! What you do matters a lot.

EVERYTHING you do matter; you matter! Make that your personal mantra and make that your pulpit/soapbox/social megaphone voice. Believe it for yourself and tell everyone you know. Each person that God has for you to meet by appointment is no accident. This is not based on whether you are on payroll at your church of choice or are searching Monster. Everyone you meet matters and everyone that meets you needs you to know that you matter. Walk in those shoes and begin to 'matter' to everyone you meet. You have significance that is more than people may recognize, possibly even more than you realize. Your job or lack of does not define your significance, or maybe it does.

Thoughts?