Surviving hard times...

Today has been a difficult day. And, there will be more difficult days ahead. Our team is in pain.

Part of what we are experiencing is common. Thousands of people are losing their jobs everyday. The economy is hurting. Cutbacks are happening everywhere. In that way, we are not unique.

Another part of what we are experiencing is very uncommon. We are a family. This is not just a "job". It's a safe place. Our staff team is like extended family. We work, play, and grow spiritually together. When we're not "working", we still hang out with each other, email each other, text, call and Twitter. We support each other and we love each other. In that way, I believe we are uncommon.

I'm hurting for my friends. And, frankly, I feel helpless.

So, I lean on scripture when I can't find the words. As Mark reminded us this weekend..."Not for information...but for transformation."

• He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (2 Corinthians 1:4 MSG).
• "God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him." Psalm 46:1 (MSG)

HT: Justin, Jason and Greg.

I am fully-present in this moment. Experiencing the emotions. Accepting the reality. Acknowledging this is bigger than me. Absorbing the truth that we can never lose our impact; we can never lose our value. I'm open to what is needed from me. And, I am learning.

In spite of the pain, I am not fearful. I'm living with heightened expectancy and faith that good things are ahead. There's just no way around our circumstances right now...we have to go through them to get to the other side.

So, thanks for listening. In many ways we are not unique. We are all surviving hard times. But, I wanted to be transparent and say...our family is hurting. Your prayers will be an encouragement.

Comments

[Terrace Crawford]

My prayers are with GCC, those no longer employed, and their families.

-Terrace Crawford
http://wwww.terracecrawford.com
http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford

[Jud Epting]

Let me clear up #2. Tithing is not mandated for Christians. Generous giving is !!! However, as in my families cases, there have been times (a bunch) when we have been led to generously give in directions other than our local church. Watching our church BURN through money on marketing and fluff hasn't exactly discouraged our giving from going elswhere.

Tithing is both an OLD and a NEW Law.

That being said I feel horrible for anyone going through tumult of losing or expecting to lose a job. Which has become a significant portion of our nation. I fall into this line of thinking. Everything is blown out of proportion, the bubble of the 90's and the recession of today. Emotions tend to feed the beast. It's never as bad or as good as we think it is.

[Jud Epting]

Scott,

#1) According to recent surveys that 80% might not yet be believers in Christ.
So why would they tithe in the first place?

#2) Tithing is not Biblical. It's Levitical...

[Justin Mitchell]

Kem,

Just wanted to let you know that the entire staff up here at Valley Family Church, Kalamazoo will be praying for our brothers and sisters of GCC. God keeps good records and is a rewarder of the faithful!

-Justin Mitchell
Associate Pastor
Valley Family Church

[Kirk Longhofer]

Kem, you guys at Granger are uncommon. A tremendous example in so many ways. I know the pain you're going through, and the pain those you are losing feel. Our prayers are with you.

kdl

[Craig Groeschel]

Our team loves you all at GCC. We are praying for you.

[Abby]

"The only way out is through"... Frost

[Chris Queen]

Kem, I'm praying for y'all. We were in the same boat here in 2008, so I've seen how difficult it can be. Keep your head up, and trust that God will take care of everyone.

praying for you.

[Los]

The crazy thing is...God is right in the middle of it, knowing, working, and holding.

Chin up sister.
You and your team are leading more people than you can even imagine.
Keep showing us how to navigate this thing called ministry.
You guys are amazing.
Praying...
Los

[Jamie Westlake]

We've not filled a number of positions that people have voluntarily left over the last year and we've painfully let go of 5 people on our staff in the last few months. I have reminded several of our faithful folks who have been laid off that 10% of nothing is nothing. I hope we are done with cuts for a long time.

[Jeremy Scheller]

horribly hard. prayers.

[Amber Cox]

Praying for you all today!

[dup]

Kem, I can't even imagine the heartache you all must be experiencing. I have the sad feeling that this will only continue to happen more and more. God help us to be in tune with your spirit and lead well during these hard times.

[Jeff Wilson]

Kem, so sorry to hear about the cuts. As of right now we are not having to make any. I had to go through this same experience 5 years ago and it was excruciating. Know that I am praying for you and for GCC.

[beth]

Praying for you all. Thanks for being open. We just went through the same thing, although we managed to keep everyone employed. Reductions still hurt.

Praying for the kingdom and for your team - Granger's impact goes far beyond your local campus...

[Don]

I hope you can read my honesty when I say I am hurting with you. I am one of those who tithe, and with my pay cuts the unfortunate truth is my tithe had to be cut to equal proportion. I identify with your feelings of helplessness, and I rely on the scripture you have recalled. Thank you.

Praying.

[Dawn Nicole Baldwin]

Kem, oh man, I am so sorry. I know you mean what you say with those words. You guys are a tight knight group that anyone would be proud to be part of.

One thing I know for sure--you and your senior team lead with grace, dignity and a fierce protective drive to preserve your team. I know this is pain is raw & personal for each of you and truly was a last resort.

Stand strong and I pray God will use this pain to further his Kingdom and glorify his Church through all of you.

Dawn

[Account Deleted]

Sick at heart for you all. Praying. Hoping.

[Scott Fillmer]

for one reason or another this is effecting the Church in a disgusting way (to me). I am just going to repeat what I said on Tim's blog :::

whenever I hear this kind of thing it really irritates me... not just because I am on staff with a church and hope my position is not one to be eliminated, but because the lack of faith of some members to maintain their contributions to maintain the church body.

This IS a time when the church is needed more than any good and prosperous time. This is NOT a time to be reducing the church's presence, but in the end it isn't really up to the senior staff of the church, it is up to God's people to support the church.

It is time for more than 20% of the church body to support the functions and calling of the church. If the typical 80% of members do not tithe, is it possible to ever change that and not have to go through eliminating vital positions in the church? I doubt it, but I hope so.

Some times in the church, as in business, removing positions is a needed thing, but the church could do so much more if it was properly support by its members (IMO).