old things

Have you ever felt like your best days are behind you? I have. Yesterday at church, we had a guest speaker who came to challenge us to renew our commitment to missions giving, specifically the Cooperative Program. He explained to us that, for a church, giving to missions should be viewed more as a wise investment, than an expense to be cut from the budget. One thing he said that really stuck in my mind is he noticed the sign on the front of the building commemorating when our church was established. 1829.
178 years ago. Imagine that. Mississippi had only been a state for 12 years, and our nation was only 53 years old. Way back then, some people got together and were led by the Holy Spirit that a church needed to be established in this area. Imagine how many lives have been touched in those 178 years, because a group of people had a mind for missions, and the vision to make it happen. Now, here we are in 2007, and we are struggling to meet expenses, mainly because not all of the membership supports the church financially. But does this make it necessary to make big cuts in our missions budget? I am torn between wanting to see our church have a balanced budget, and yet maintain our commitment to missions. I wonder if anyone who might read this has experienced a similar situation in their church.Even though we(as a church) have been around for almost 200 years, we have to believe that God isn't finished with us yet. Perhaps we just need to be reminded of what our mission is. And I ask that you pray for us as we seek guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit regarding this.
2Ch 7:14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.