As I walked out of a favorite restaurant the other night, the owner said to me, “You know I really appreciate every time you come here. Customers like you make the difference between us staying open and having to close the doors.“ So now, rather than “thinking about going again soon” –we’re planning on it.
A really nice order came in from an old customer during our company’s “annual sales drought”. Most businesses have slow periods, but these days they can be scary slow. I called to say “thank you” and the customer said, “well normally we would have waited to order, but figured you could use it now.“ The dollar amount was nice, but the sense of support was priceless.
A business friend emailed recently, ”just checking in…wondering how you were doing“. Luke has always been good at making phonecalls and emailing his business contacts. When I called him back, he said that he’s been spending a lot more time on the phone than ever before just listening.
One of our long-time suppliers called last month. “Can I send you some CDs at an extra discount and have you pay upfront? It would help me make payroll this week.“ We didn’t need the extra stock, but I placed the order.
I’m sure you have many of your own stories to share, and I would encourage you to do so. But it’s also important that we each DO something to help our friends and business acquaintances in these days. Not only can specific supportive acts be encouraging, they can be a witness.
Here’s a beginning list of things you can do right now to help minister during a recession. Some of them are for the church, or pastor, or maybe just for you.
- Post a “jobs” board at your church with two sections: “I’m Available to,” and “Help Wanted.” At every meeting and worship service, remind people to use the board. Put a marker and pad of paper on it to make it easier for folks to post. Offer your phonenumber as a go-between for those who don’t want it broadcast that they’re seeking work.
- Do lunches with business people in your congregation. Listen.
- Take extra care to notice slips in worship attendance. Depression makes people not want to go out.
- Organize a dinner for business people in your congregation with experts in the field of “interviewing for a new job”. Organize a potluck with an expert in mortgage refinancing and managing 401ks.
- Patronize church member businesses and local businesses that seem to be struggling.
- Buy a couple of movie passes for a young family that’s struggling.
- If there are odd jobs around the church which you would normally pay for, offer them to members who are struggling (including teens who are faced with a bad job market as well).
- In your own business… value relationships over product, practice patience.
- Make sure the church is offering no-cost regular FELLOWSHIP events to take pressure off of family budgets and give them a chance to network and feel supported.
- Talk to local job agencies and governmental offices about using the church for their job events and classes. If this type of help doesn’t exist in your area, gather some members and local business people and create it.
- Now is the time for Bible studies about money, and seminars about faithful financial planning. There are numerous resources for such.
- Avoid conspicuous consumption in the church. This is not the time for your dream mission trip, or big capital project, or higher registration fees, …even if many in your church have been relatively untouched by the recession. Even symbolic budget cuts or redirecting funds to help those seeking work (and groceries) can speak volumes to those who are hurting in your congregation.
So often the Church is focused only on its own needs, …worship and program. But this is a time for ministers, members, and churches to become more relevant to the personal needs of their members.
