I know the big thing right now is the stock market crash, and the big bail out. Is anyone else worried about this, and if so, what is a woman in ministry to do to prepare herself and her family for crisis? I am not saying that i am running around mad with stess or packing away M.R.E.s. At the same time, what are some words of wisdom that we can share with each other in this unstable time we live in? In God We Trust,
Definately on our minds too. My husband has been thinking about because several people in the church have asked and he wants to have the right answer. So...one thing we have talked about it is treating 1/2 tank like E. And not letting it hit less than 1/2 tank. And it never hurts to have extra food stored back. We live in ice storm and tornado country so it is for more than economic type worry. Its just good preparation. As we think of more, I'll check back in and to see what all you others have to say. :)
Also, last night at church, Bishop Miller said he was watching t.v. and heard them say that, "The backbone of america is on credit. And with that gone, we are done for good."
He said, "Not to let fear ride on our shoulder and tell us what to think or do." We are to do the oppistie of what the enemy says. He says get credit, we save up and invest wisely. He says to stay in debt, we say no, that curse is broken over our lives and we decide now to walk the other way.
My dh has been concerned and says that "credit" has destroyed America. At mid-life, a retirement plan weighs heavily! Our denomination does not provide that. However, we are faithful in tithes/offerings. That's the starting point to destroy the devour. Being on a budget, kept us from debt. We paid cash or went without...most of the time "luxuries" or "extra's" were not a part of our lives. We lived very modest. We only charge if it's an emergency. How we have lived has been a little old-fashioned. But it is how we survived the ministry! There's not a lot of money in ministry for the majority of pastors but our needs have always been met. God has provided in ways unexpected! We've haven't owned a house 16 years, we live in a parsonage . This bothers dh. Our cars have many miles on them but no payment! We just have to be sensible and not greedy. Generations coming up need to learn these 'old - fashioned' ways!
Oral Roberts was on TBN speaking to pastors and he said that one of the most important things to own is your own house and one dependable, working vehicle. My dh has really been wanting to at least get a house. Me?... after this long and at mid-life , I just don't want to "settle" for a starter home! I want a nice house with special features. I am a decorator and like style. I also don't want something that I have to fix up! All these years I have been content with little but now I do like nice things. But I believe in getting good deals! And I am not too spoiled or proud to receive 'hand-me-downs'. The way I feel about the future is it can't be much different than we have lived...we are on a very rigid budget. We don't have most of the things our colleagues have! But we are not bogged down in debt personally.
Nevertheless, our church went through a building program. We have a debt that weighs heavily on my dh. He has "froze" the finances to focus on getting that debt paid! Each department is on a budget and we are cutting back (not on missions). The regular tithes/offerings are still in place too. It all comes down to God is our source! And common sense re: debt.
My ministerial credentials with another needed renewed recently. Therefore, I decided to be credentialed through DSOM instead so I can go on staff at church next year (living on one income has been very tight). Through Dsom LM there is required reading by Dave Ramsey re: Finances. Another student who is also a SP copastor, thought that was odd. But I don't! Not after being in ministry on a shoe-string budget 18 years and now hiring staff pastors who come out of seminary wanting a silver spoon in their mouths! They live in "debt" and expect us to give a high salary to bail them out. They seem to be clueless about sacrificing "things" for the gospel and having a starter home or apt. as opposed to a brand new home. We have to be givers and use wisdom in budgeting also! Hope this answers your inquiry. Love you all, 2as1
And then there are those of us whose finances were so tight BEFORE the current economy happened, that our "poverty level" has gone UP a notch, lol!!!
I'm one of those "in debt" staff pastors (long story; read my posts from 2004-2006 on here!), but my husband and I are working on a plan to get everything paid off. I feel extremely blessed to be at a church that pays me a full time salary - this is my first time in that situation. I am still at a loss some evenings (yes, after two years!) as to what on earth I am supposed to be doing, since my full time job IS my ministry job now. Guess I need to get busy writing the Great American Novel or something...
I absolutely LOVE my apartment - it was brand new when we moved into it, and God literally handed it to us on a silver platter. There was no way we should have been approved for it with all the financial messes that were happening in our lives at the time - other than God's favor. I love not having property taxes, or house insurance to deal with (renter's insurance is MUCH cheaper!), and I love the fact that if something breaks, it is our management's responsibility to pay for and fix it. The pool (in the summer), the fitness room, and party room are nice perks, too...
But with all that we are blessed with, we are still financially tight...some things we do to save $$ are:
*Recycle plastic containers (butter, sour cream, etc) - they make fantastic containers to store leftovers, and are much cheaper than buying the Rubbermaid or Ziploc brand ones.
*Dollar stores - do we really need to pay $3 - $4 for trash bags when we can get them for $.99 at Dollar General?
*Mom and Pop produce stores - there's a great one here in Kenosha called "Kenosha Fresh Produce (original name, I know!)." As WW members, we absolutely love that we can buy an entire cartful of fruits and veggies for less than $60.00. Obviously, none of you have Kenosha Fresh Produce unless you happen to live here (and if you do, please let me know - let's get together!), but check around - your town may have a hidden gem like this!
*Thrift shopping.
*freecycle.org (or .com, I can't remember!) - check to see if you have one in your area. It's a network for people to give away things that they no longer need, or to request items that you may need.
*The library! I love to read - but why spend $$ when you can read books for FREE? You can also check out movies and CDs - again, why pay when you don't have to?
