Gathering in South Jersey

Much has been written about how charitable giving has gone down during the recession. Each time I hear it, I cringe a little bit.

• "You know, giving to charitable causes is really down these days."
• "Boy, I don't envy you trying to fundraise in this economic climate."
• "You're really stepping out in faith trying to start a church in a down economy."

Perhaps its because I'm stubborn, perhaps because God has called me to this difficult work, perhaps both--I try not to let those negative statements sway me.

In fact, I try to use them, "judo-style," as a basis for redoubling my work and effort to fully fund this church plant.

I also take special delight when I read about how this organization or that organization isn't struggling to raise money in the midst of the current economy; on the contrary, they are doing quite well.

I have no doubt that the economy has hurt some people specifically. A friend who lost a job simply couldn't honor his pledge for many months of 2009. But guess what?

He's a hard working, motivated individual; he found a new job, and just wrote me last week, "Where can I send my check to resume the pledge that I made back in 2008?"

I have a feeling that it isn't the money that keeps people from giving to this work; its a sense of their own calling. They can't see the connection between God's call in their lives and this new work.

Sometimes that's legitimate; after all, God calls different people to support different causes. I try not to judge a person but take them at face value: they say, "I don't belive God has called me to support such a work" and I assume its the voice of the Lord directing them.

Other times, it may not be legitimate.

In such situations, my request for money may, in fact, be the Lord (through me) urging that person to let go of a certain degree of fear and trust Him for the future.

As with the first case, so also in this: if I suspect a person is struggling with faith and giving, I don't judge them. I pray for them and trust God (myself!) for His provision for this work. In some cases, a person's financial situation changes over even a few months and another request is met with a different answer.

I believe that it helps that I am giving to this work as well.

I tithe to the Gloucester County Church plant every month 10% of the money I receive from the work. Does this seem redundant? Not at all: the spiritual discipline of giving God the first fruits of my income is important even for me and my family, the ones who (at this time) compromise the largest expense of the new church.

I'm not sure if giving is down in this economy or not. I know many people have told me that they won't give because of the economy.

How then can I explain that the Gloucester County Church Plant has been able to receive more than $200,000 in gifts and pledges toward the outside portion of their four-year budget?

Granted: I've had some fantastic people make some very significant gifts. But I have more than thirty different givers, so it isn't just one or two people that are funding this work.

Granted: I think this budget needs revising; I'm well under budget this year, but may well have over estimated the amount of local giving I'd take in this summer and fall from people in New Jersey who are beginning to attach themselves to this new ministry.

At times the remaining work of fundraising is daunting; at least $100,000 remains to make up the Outside Portion of the new church's four year budget.

This means that local, new member-tithing people (the "inside" portion of the budget, those who will fully support the church in the year 2013) is still neeed in 2009, 2010, and so forth--in addition to this amount.

As I said: much work remains. It is a faith challenge for me almost every day.

But, I wonder: now that experts are announcing the end of the recession, will even more people who know and support the vision of the ministry step up to help financially?

I'd like to think so. If this is you, thank you.

Please remember, your gifts to GCCP are tax-deductible. Whether its a three-year pledge or a one-time gift, your gift of any amount makes an impact on the momentum of this project.

Even more, I know it will build your faith.