I was talking with Pastor Jeff Henderson yesterday. The conversation was church finances and the effects of the recent global economic situation has created. As one might expect giving is down considerably since October. As an example while Journey has more than doubled in size from 175 to 550 in weekly attendance since August an almost 200% growth in attendance. Giving has grown a mere 30%. It's almost scary. I guess it is scary.

Jeff shared a story about a church that He was a part of that got in over it's head at one point and stopped it's missions giving. He noticed that stopping God's flow of giving had an even greater negative effect on the churches finances so he asked the pointed question – Eric are you guys being faithful in tithing your outside missions $.

I am greatful to say that we are, we continue to make our 12% outside contributions faithfully as some of the first checks we write. In November we had our highest ever monthly missions giving of over $6400. At Journey we have also been aggressively looking at ways to cut expenses and have shaved over $1000 per month off the top to try to be great stewards over all that God has entrusted us with that we might be positioned well as we enter 2009.

So, to twist the situation back to you and I the challenge at the core becomes do we trust God with our finances even in difficult times? Do we believe scriptures like,

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”   – Luke 6:38

I read scriptures like this and try to keep it simple. Simple, pratical and put into practice.

So my thought and challenge is this. During this Holiday season do a few things – 1) Take God at His Word, 2) Be faithful in your tithes and offerings, infact be a hilarous giver and watch what God does in your life, 3) Don't get into debt over Christmas.. Live within your means.

Prayerfully consider where you are at in terms of giving. If you have not been faithful in this area of your life – repent, seek God's direction, and put His word into practice. If you have been faithful trust in God, stand on His promises, even if things look bleak know that He has your back.

I humbly thank the people of Journey Church for their faithful, over and above giving, keep making a difference – keep the gift revolution going. Let's blow this area away with how much God loves them.

Just received a complementary copy of Outreach Magazine. Got as far as the editors notes on the 1st page. In them he talked about a church in the suburbs who had as part of it's core mission "To elevate the urban poor." He was intrigued as was I that the closest poor neighborhood was some 25 miles away yet they had a passion for "The Least of These"

How important is this as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach.

There will be much to say about the two upcoming series "Gratitude List" and "Gift Revolution"

But suffice it to say – I challenge the people to step up more than ever before – during these tough economic times and be a church that is passionate about ministry for the least of these. No doubt we will be helping Pastor Moses out at Triumph. In fact.. 2 weeks from now Pastor will be preaching here and I couldn't be more excited about him sharing about Triumph.

We want to make sure everyone at Journey as a great thanksgiving.

If that might now be the case for you be cause of your economic situation would you email me ejaffe@journeychurch.org  and we will see what we might do to help!

This week was one of many challenges. In many ways it was a week where it felt like the devil was really trying to keep us from reaching people for Christ. But that just gets me more fired up knowing we are on the right track. It is eXciting stepping out to reach people for christ in a new facility and it is awesome seeing everyone step up to turn. The dream into a reality. Keep praying for us……

This week was one of many challenges. In many ways it was a week where it felt like the devil was really trying to keep us from reaching people for Christ. But that just gets me more fired up knowing we are on the right track. It is eXciting stepping out to reach people for christ in a new facility and it is awesome seeing everyone step up to turn. The dream into a reality. Keep praying for us……

We had the tour last Wednesday night and this week we received initial feedback from the congregation and everything seems on track unless something really comes out of left field. We would encourage everyone to pray as we currently have the lease signing scheduled for Thursday Morning @ 10:00am. If all goes well we will walk out of the meeting with the keys.

Pray for us also. This weekend we will be starting a new series in addition to a capital campaign aimed at moving into the new facility with excellence. The series is called iBuild and will be a study of Nehemiah and the building of the walls, God’s supernatural provision corporately and individually. It should be a great series to lead us into the opening of the new facility.

If you would like to help us get a jump start by contributing online it would mean the world to us.

Click here to donate online.