News sources are sounding the alarm for an approaching period of economic depression in our country. But people of faith know that tough times can actually be times of opportunity for God to work! During stressful times, people may be much more receptive to the good news that God cares and has given His Son for them. Here are some tips for making sure we maximize the effectiveness of our Music/Worship Ministries in tough economic times:
- Your job is the vehicle for your personal professional ministry. In tough economic times, job security is threatened. SO… we must give primary effort to make ourselves indispensible to the body life of our churches. Renew your personal devotional life, develop new organizational and leadership skills, offer to take on more staff responsibility, strengthen your relationships church-wide. Optimize your value!
- Link your musicians to quick, effective, FREE training through our Worship & Music training podcasts. See www.scbaptist.org/podcasts. E-mail this link to your musicians who can benefit from the various subjects covered on our site. New podcasts will be unveiled each week throughout this year with a huge variety of subjects to help train your worship leaders.
- Renew your commitment to planning worship experiences which affirm our God whose presence is not tied to the rise and fall of the Stock Exchange. Our folks are more aware than ever of their vulnerability. Also, be intentionally evangelistic. More people are aware of their need for Jesus in tough times. Considering starting a new worship service? Call on us for materials to help effectively guide you through that process.
- Recycle songs for your groups that have worked in the past and can be updated with more modern accompaniment. Share music from your library with other churches and borrow music from friends in your area as an alternative to purchasing. Share equipment with each other as well.
- Search the web for free songs and materials on worship websites. There are many available. Contact the SCBC Worship & Music Office for a list of those, if needed.
- Plan ahead. Do you expect to have to cut your music budget by 10% by the end of the year? Then develop a contingency plan with a spending limit for each month to land you within that target by the end of the year. Then if your church makes budget, it will be like getting a raise! And if not, you won’t be caught by surprise.
Call on your Church Vitalization Team to help you during times of abundance and times of restraint. Remember, we exist because of you and for you!
Family finance:
1. Maintain a Family Budget. Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org) provides resources for churches and families to develop a household budget. www.QuickenOnline.com has a free family budget tool wich integrates with Online Banking.
2. Ridgecrest Conference Center get-away lodging. Church staff may call Ridgecrest at 800-588-7222 to reserve rooms for approx $35 a night (as available) in the lodge. Nice rooms, great deal, meals optional.
Choir music Recycling:
1. Have Children’s Choirs? Re-Use Curriculum materials from the past.
2. Have a Choir? Inventory your anthem library to find “jewels” from the past. Update the accompaniment by adding synth, drums, bass. SHARE your music library and BORROW from others. Email DonStafford@bellsouth.net to join our new SC Baptist Music Lending Library yahoo group!
Contemporary and Choir Freebies: Search the web for free offers.
Worship planning for tough times:
1. Renew your commitment to planning worship that affirms our God whose presence is not tied to the rise and fall of the Stock Exchange. Our folks are more aware than ever of their vulnerability.
2. Be intentionally evangelistic. More people are aware of their need for Jesus in tough times.
3. Share training with your worship leaders via our SCBC website podcasts - you won't have to go to a conference! Acess one new podcast every week at www.scbaptist.org/podcasts.
